An abnormal response of the adrenal cortex to insulin: glucose in essential hypertension.

This investigation demonstrates an abnormal response to the adrenal cortex to modulation of the potassium metabolism by an intravenous infusion of insulin-glucose in patients with essential hypertension. In response to insulin-glucose there was a transient decline of plasma aldosterone and plasma cortisol concentrations in control subjects with normal blood pressure, whereas a temporary increase of both hormones was found in patients with essential hypertension. Treatment with thiazide diuretics further magnified the different aldosterone response between the two groups. It is suggested that the abnormal response of patients with essential hypertension may be of significance to the understanding of the pathogenesis of this important disease.