Abstract
Effect of corticotropin and cortisone on the blood flow through brown adipose tissue was investigated in the rat, employing the radioactive isotope indicator method of Sapirstein.
Administrations of corticotropin in daily doses of 2 and 5 I.U.for 5 days produced a significant increase in the blood flow. Daily injections of cortisone acetate (1mg/100g, 6-7 days) caused a similar increase in the blood flow as corticotropin did.
In adrenalectomized rats corticotropin in a daily dose of 5 I.U.for 5 days failed to affect the blood flow in this tissue.The results indicate that corticotropin exerts its effect on the blood flow in brown adipose tissue through the secretion of adrenocortical hormone.
Corticotropin and cortisone did not influence the fresh weight of brown adipose tissue in normal rats under the present experimental conditions, but in adrenalectomized rats the administration of corticotropin caused a slight decrease in the weight of brown adipose tissue.
