STUDIES ON THE PITUITARY-ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE WORKERS EXPOSED TO NITROGLYCOL

Abstract

To examine pituitary-adrenocortical functions of workers exposed to nitroglycol some investigations were made.
1. Evaluating by the reaction to 25 units of ACTH-Z (ACTH-Gel), the decrease of the adrenocortical functions of dynamite workers were noted, in spite of rather healthful environmental conditions of the investigated shops. The decrease of eosinophil counts induced by ACTH injection was remarkably small.
2. In case of 0.25 mg synthetic ACTH administration similar data were obtained con- cerning the decrease of circulating eosinophil counts.
3. The increase of the circulating concentration of free plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids, which was induced by 0.25 mg synthetic ACTH administration, was obviously small in case of workers who had been exposed to nitroglycol so far.
4. No significant correlation was acquired, however, between ACTH-induced eosinopenia and increment of the steroids.
The general conclusions drawn from the above data are that the pituitary-adreno- cortical functions which were evaluated by Thorn's test and rapid ACTH test decreassed in the workers exposed to nitroglycol, and that the dysfunctions are connected with the outcome of sudden death in case of the serious nitroglycol poisoning.