Effects of adrenalectomy and of adrenal hormones on the tissue distribution of 14 elements in the rat.

The effects of adrenalectomy (ADY) and of replacement therapy using a mineralocorticoid, deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and a glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (DEX) on the tissue distribution of elements in the rat, were studied under semichronic conditions. The elements Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, S, P, Rb, Sr, Mn, Cu, and Zn were determined in whole blood, plasma, brain, liver, kidney, heart, skeletal muscle, spleen, thymus, and bone. Additionally, Mo was determined in kidney and liver and Ba in bone. ADY modified concentrations of all elements tested. Small changes were observed for K, Mg, Ca, S, and P, whereas much larger changes were noted for Na, Rb, and Sr. Cu, Zn, and Fe were mainly modified in liver and kidney, organs involved in storage and/or elimination. The consequences of ADY were corrected fairly well by DEX for Mg, Mn, Ca, Cu, and Mo; by DOC for Na and K, and by the two corticoids for Zn, Fe, Sr, and Rb. This study revealed that corticoids, mainly glucocorticoids, play an important role in the plasma and tissue balance of elements. It is suggested that these results may have a pathological and clinical significance.