Effects of cortisol on blood pressure and salt preference in normal humans.
1. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosteroids stimulate salt appetite in laboratory animals. The hypothesis tested was that cortisol administration increases salt preference in humans. 2. Sodium taste studies (detection and recognition thresholds, taste intensity and preference tests) were conducted before, during and after cortisol administration (200 mg/day for 5 days) in normal men on a free diet. 3. Cortisol significantly increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), 113 +/- 3 - 130 +/- 4 mmHg, P < 0.05; diastolic blood pressure (DBP), 65 +/- 3 - 81 +/- 2 mmHg, P < 0.05; mean arterial pressure (MAP), 81 +/- 2 - 97 +/- 3 mmHg, P < 0.05; and bodyweight, 72.9 +/- 3.0 - 75.4 +/- 3.3 kg, P < 0.05. 4. Salt detection and recognition thresholds, taste intensity and preference for sodium chloride were unchanged following cortisol.
Wong
K S
KS
Department of Renal Medicine, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Williamson
P M
PM
Brown
M A
MA
Zammit
V C
VC
Denton
D A
DA
Whitworth
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000187:drug effects; D004231:Diuresis / Q000187:drug effects; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013652:Taste Threshold / Q000187:drug effects*
D004573:Electrolytes; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D006854:Hydrocortisone