Natriuresis of fasting in intact and adrenalectomized rats

Experiments were carried out in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of fasting-induced natriuresis in conscious rats. Female animals were given low sodium diet and saline in a fixed concentration for at least three days, and deprived of food thereafter. The sodium balance significantly shifted to negative independently of potassium supply in intact rats. Such was also observed in the dexamethasone-replaced, adrenalectomized rats and was not affected by further administration of aldosterone. In addition, the diuretic effect of insulin in fasted intact rats was not evident in the fed diabetic rats in which diabetes had been induced by streptozotocin. Such findings suggested participation of factors other than insulin. The natriuresis of fasting in intact rats appears to involve two factors, one of which is independent of the sodium intake level. Dependence on the sodium intake level may be derived from alteration of the solute diuresis-like effect of drinking saline w hen animals are fasted. These results suggest that neither aldosterone nor insulin is a major causal factor involved in fasting-induced natriuresis.