Kidney and liver function in rats during the edema following constriction of thoracic inferior vena cava with and without adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy.

In several animal species, constriction of the thoracic inferior vena cava (TIVCC) is known to increase proximal sodium reabsorption and inhibit natriuresis following saline loading, leading to edema. To eluicidate the role of adrenal and hypophyseal hormones in the development of edema, kidney and liver functions after TIVCC were compared in adrenalectomised or hypophysectomised rats, and in intact controls. It was found that edema (body weight increase) and kidney and liver affliction were much less pronounced after the operations. The roles of aldosterone and ADH deficiency in renal sodium and water excretion are discussed. It is concluded that adrenal and hypophyseal hormones do not initiate edema but modulate its extent. The absence of edematous changes in the liver of hypophysectomised and adrenalectomised rats deserves further attention.