[Glucocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex in the course of a 24-hour day in pathological states]

A study was made of blood hydrocortisone content for a period of 24 hours in the patients with congenital diseases of the heart before and after the operation, in patients with acute respiratory disease, severe pneumonia, and also with acute laryngeal stenosis of influenzal etiology. It was revealed that under pathological conditions the adrenal cortex took part in the compensatory reactions of the organism at any time of the day. As a result of this hydrocortisone concentration is steadily maintained at a definite level in the course of the 24 hours. These changes depended on the intensity of the stressor and the severity of metabolic disturbances in the organism.