Corticosterone, but not Glucose, Treatment Enables Fasted Adrenalectomized Rats to Survive Moderate Hemorrhage*

Abstract

Fed adrenalectomized rats survive the stress of hemorrhage and hypovolemia, whereas fasted adrenalectomized rats become hypotensive and hypoglycemic after the first 90 min and die within 4 h. We have studied the effects of glucose and corticosterone (B) infusions after hemorrhage as well as treatment with B at the time of adrenalectomy on the capacity of chronically prepared, conscious, fasted, adrenalectomized rats to survive hemorrhage. We have also measured the magnitudes of vasoactive hormone responses to hemorrhage. Maintenance of plasma glucose concentrations did not sustain life; however, treatment of rats at the time of adrenalectomy with B allowed 100% survival, and acute treatment of adrenalectomized rats at the time of hemorrhage allowed about 50% survival during the 5-h posthemorrhage observation period. Rats in the acute B infusion group that died exhibited significantly increased plasma B and significantly decreased plasma glucose concentrations by 2 h compared to the rats that lived. Plasma vasopressin, renin, and norepinephrine responses to hemorrhage were markedly augmented in the adrenalectomized rats not treated with B, and plasma vasopressin concentrations were significantly elevated at 1 and 2 h in all of the rats that subsequently died compared to values in those that lived. We conclude that: 1) death after hemorrhage in fasted adrenalectomized rats is not a result of lack of glucose; 2) chronic and, to an extent, acute treatment of fasted adrenalectomized rats with B enables survival; 3) fasted adrenalectomized rats exhibit strong evidence of hepatic insufficiency which is not apparent in either fed adrenalectomized rats or B-treated fasted adrenalectomized rats; 4) death after hemorrhage in fasted adrenalectomized rats may result from hepatic failure as a consequence of marked splanchnic vasoconstriction mediated by the actions of extraordinarily high levels of vasoactive hormones after hemorrhage; and 5) B appears to act to decrease the magnitude of response of vasoactive hormones after hemorrhage in fasted adrenalectomized rats.

Evidence of angiotensin II involvement in prolactin secretion in response to hemorrhage in adrenodemedullated and guanethidine-treated rats

“…Our results are also in agreement with experiments describing an increased hormonal response to hemorrhage in adrenalectomized or sympathectomized rats (3,4). Previous experiments showed potentiated responses to hemorrhage of the vasoactive hormones arginine vasopressin, renin, and noradrenaline in adrenalectomized rats (3,4).…”

“…Previous experiments showed potentiated responses to hemorrhage of the vasoactive hormones arginine vasopressin, renin, and noradrenaline in adrenalectomized rats (3,4). In addition, it has been shown that the renin response to hemorrhage is potentiated by 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesions in the dorsal noradrenergic bundle (10,47).…”

The hepatoadrenal syndrome: A common yet unrecognized clinical condition*

“…Activation of the hypo-thalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis with the release of Cortisol is an essential component of the general adaptation to illness and stress and contributes to the maintenance of cellular and organ homeostasis. This is clearly demonstrated in adrenalectomized animals, who succumb rapidly to hemorrhagic and septic shock, with steroid replacement being protective against these challenges (6,7). Furthermore, Annane and colleagues (8) demonstrated that treatment with stress doses of hydrocortisone (and supplemental mineralocorticoid) improved survival in a subgroup of septic shock patients with adrenal failure.…”

Análise endócrino-comportamental dos macacos-prego (cebus nigritus) que habitam o Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho

“…Embora a adrenalectomia impeça completamente a produção de GCs, a reinjeção de pequenas quantidades de GCs falha em manter estes animais vivos (Darlington et al, 1990a). Este resultado implica que níveis de GC maiores do que os de manutenção são requeridos para a sobrevivência a estímulos nocivos.…”