Effects of chloroquine on the adrenocortical function. III. Sex differences in concentrations of cholesterol and ascorbic acid in the suprarenal gland after a single administration of chloroquine in the rat.

Effects of single doses of 4-(4-diethylamino-1-methylbutylamino)-7-chloroquinoline (chloroquine diphosphate, Delagil Egyt) given orally (40, 80, 160 and 320 mg of base/kg) or s.c. (40, 80 and 120 mg of base/kg) upon cholesterol and ascorbic acid concentrations in the white rat suprarenal glands were followed up. The occurrence of signs of adrenocortical activation was found to be dependent on the route of application and sex of animals. Chloroquine given s.c. caused a decrease in ascorbic acid level only in doses close to LD50. The oral administration of chloroquine in doses of 80 mg/kg and more produced a significant decrease in cholesterol and ascorbic acid concentrations in the suprarenal glands of female rats, while in males chloroquine in any of the dose levels tested was without effect.