Role of glucocorticoids and aldosterone in maintenance of colonic cation transport.

Adrenalectomized rats were maintained on physiologic replacement doses of aldosterone or dexamethasone for 24 h after adrenalectomy. Net cation movement and transmural potential difference were determined during in vivo perfusion of the colon. Adrenalectomy without replacement steroids resulted in marked reduction of sodium and water absorption, potassium secretion, and transmural potential difference (PD). Aldosterone 10 microgram . 100 g body wt-1 . 24 h-1 significantly increased net potassium secretion above adrenalectomized levels but did not restore transport to control levels. Sodium and water absorption and transmural PD were not affected. Aldosterone 30 microgram . 100 g body wt-1 . 24 h-1 increased but did not restore net movement of sodium or potassium to control levels. In contrast to aldosterone, physiologic amounts of dexamethasone, 10 microgram . 100 g body wt-1 . 24 h-1, preserved normal electrolyte movement and electrical properties in adrenalectomized rats. In additional experiments the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone was administered for 3 days to rats with intact adrenal function. Net sodium absorption fell only 22% below control with insigificant decreases in potassium secretion and transmural PD. These data suggest that glucocorticoid hormones exert regulatory control of basal colonic fluid and electrolyte function.