[Role of adrenal cortex hormones in the realization of the biological action of cholerogen].

Experiments were conducted on albino mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits. The role played by glucocorticoids in the realization of the biological action of cholerogen--cholera exotoxin (edema of the limbs in mice and the skin test after Craig in guinea pigs and rabbits) was studied. Tissue sensitivity of these animals to the action of cholerogen diminished under the effect of stress factors (intramuscular injection of formalin, intraperitoneal injection of cholerogen, immobilization, hunger, laparatomy, etc.) and in case of glucocorticoid administration. A hypothesis is put forward that cholera exotoxin entering the blood from the intestine and activating the adrenal cortex function in vivo promoted the development of cholera intoxication.