Adrenal secretion of aldosterone in response to anaphylactic shock in hypophysectomized-nephrectomized dogs

The adrenal secretion of aldosterone in response to anaphylactic shock was examined in intact and hypophysectomized-nephrectomized dogs which had been sensitized by horse serum injections (s.c. and i.v.) 24-30 days before the experiment. On the day of the experiment, dogs were injected intravenously with horse serum under pentobarbital anesthesia. During anaphylactic shock induced by horse serum, the adrenal secretion of aldosterone in intact and hypophysectomized-nephrectomized dogs increased from 1.32 +/- 0.55 (mean +/- S.E.M.) to 8.43 +/- 1.99 ng/(kg.min) and from 0.23 +/- 0.10 to 2.38 +/- 0.63 ng/(kg.min), respectively. Plasma potassium concentration increased slightly and plasma sodium concentration did not change after the injection of horse serum in hypophysectomized-nephrectomized dogs. The results suggest the possibility that the adrenal secretion of aldosterone in response to anaphylactic shock in hypophysectomized-nephrectomized dogs is due mainly to a direct effect of histamine on the adrenal cortex or occurs via some unknown factors, and only in a small part to an increase in plasma potassium concentration. The adrenal secretion of corticosterone and cortisol during anaphylactic shock increased slightly but significantly in hypophysectomized-nephrectomized dogs, whereas it increased markedly in intact dogs.