ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION INDUCED BY 9α-FLUOROCORTISOL IN RATS

In unilaterally nephrectomized rats, 9α-fluorocortisol (9α-FF), in doses of 0.3 and 1.0 mg given daily by intramuscular injection, induced an increase in blood pressure that was independent of additional sodium supply.9α-FF reduced weight gain and, in the dose of 1.0 mg, increased fluid turnover when 0.9 % saline was given to drink. Haematocrit values were elevated, whether saline or water was given as drinking fluid.The serum sodium concentration was increased when saline was offered, but normal with water as drinking fluid. The serum potassium concentration was diminished in all groups that received 9α-FF.The renin content of the kidney was markedly depressed in all groups that had 9α-FF. The degree of suppression was similar in the groups that had saline and those that had water to drink. Under 9α-FF, plasma concentration of angiotensin II was virtually zero when saline was given to drink, but about ¼ to ½ normal when drinking fluid was water.It is concluded that the type of hypertension developing under high doses of 9α-FF resembles glucocorticoid rather than mineralocorticoid hypertension.