Stimulation by Aldosterone of Sodium Transport in the Loop of Henle

Abstract

Jones and de Wardener¹ have reported that normal subjects, when hydropenic, excrete a urine osmotically more concentrated than when given large quantities of vasopressin while hydrated. During dehydration, one element coming normally into play, besides antidiuretic hormone, is a hypersecretion of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex, as a response to the shrinkage of the liquid compartments of the body^2,3. The possible influence of aldosterone on the concentrating capacities of the human kidney was therefore evaluated by comparing the urinary osmotic pressure after administration to hydrated subjects of vasopressin alone and of vasopressin associated with aldosterone.