Effect of atrial extract on the ACTH and cortisol response to stress in rats

Twenty male albino rats were divided into two groups: Control group [receiving intravenous placebo] and experimental group [receiving intravenous atrial extract [80 mug/kg body weight] before being subjected to stress induced by ether inhalation for 60 seconds]. Plasma ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone, glucose and sodium were estimated for all rats basally as well as 15, 30 and 45 minutes after ether inhalation. In placebo-treated rats, ether inhalation resulted in statistically significant increase in plasma ACTH and cortisol. In atrial extract-treated rats, the ACTH and cortisol responses to stress were statistically suppressed when compared with the control response. No changes in plasma aldosterone, glucose or sodium were detected