THE EFFECT OF ADRENALIN ON ADRENAL CORTICAL FUNCTION*

Abstract

RECENT evidence indicates that adrenalin will activate the adrenal cortex in animals and man. Vogt (1) demonstrated that adrenalin produces a significant increase in the corticoids in eviscerated dogs and cats, and Long (2, 3) showed that large amounts activate the adrenal cortex in rats. Sayers and Sayers (4) confirmed this in rats. Recently, Recant et al. (5) and Thorn et al. (6), administered adrenalin to humans and demonstrated increased adrenal cortical function. It was the purpose of this investigation to determine the importance of adrenalin as an adrenal cortical activator, by studying its influence on those hematologic elements, urinary products and blood chemicals which are affected by the hormones of the adrenal cortex. All subjects, unless otherwise specified, were normal. They comprised aides, doctors, nurses and selected patients. The patients who were chosen were in the hospital either for nonpsychotic emotional difficulties in which the element of anxiety was minimal; for minor medical problems such as old injuries, or mild aches and pains; or awaiting discharge after recovering completely from some acute febrile illness.