Effects of DOCA on circulation, renal functions, body fluids and tissue electrolytes

Desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) was administered subcutaneously to 11 normal dogs (2 mg/kg/day) for 4 days. Few changes were observed in cardiovascular and renal functions except that the glomerular filtration rate was significantly increased. Total body water and plasma volume increased with a reduction of red blood cell volume. Hematocrit, plasma osmolality and total protein concentrations were decreased. The plasma K+ levels were lowered despite unchanged plasma concentrations of Na+, Ca++, Mg++, Cl- and phosphorus. The heart showed an increase in Na+ content and a decrease in K+, Ca++, phosphorus and total lipids. The skeletal muscle showed a decrease in Ca++ and an increase in Cl- and water content. The skin revealed a reduction of K+ and an elevation of Cl-. This study showed that a DOCA-induced depletion of K+ from skeletal muscle did not occur in normally fed dogs that did not receive a large sodium load.