[Effect of hydrocortisone on sodium and potassium distribution in the sections of the cerebral cortex of rats after their electric stimulation].

Sections of the rat brain cortex were incubated in various physiological media using container-electrodes, similar to the McIlwain's type. The shifts of sodium and potassium distribution between the extra- and intracellular spaces of the slices after different stimulation parameters and the subsequent restoration were measured. The administration of hydrocortisone (for 7 days, 5 mg/100 g daily) usually increased the response of the slices to the stimulation in incubation in the glutamate devoid medium. When 0.2--0.5 mM of glutamate was added to the media the effect of hydrocortisone disappeared. Possible physiological significance of the mentioned results is discussed.