Metabolic and Blood Pressure Effects of 6α-Methylprednisolone in the Conscious Sheep

Abstract

Methylprednlsolone has been reported to be produce hypertension in the rat but to have no effect on blood pressure in the dog. In this study, methylprednlsolone infused to conscious sheep for up to 10 days at either 20 μg/kg/hr or 100 μg/kg/hr, failed to induce a hypertensive response. Metabolic effects characteristic of glucocorticoid activity, such as increased water intake and urine volume, were observed in all animals. No consistent decrease in plasma potassium concentration was observed with either rate of infusion, indicating a lack of in-vivo mlneralocortlcoid activity. In the conscious sheep, like the dog, methylprednlsolone exhibits only glucocorticoid activity and does not increase blood pressure.

Key Words:

• 6-α-Methylprednisolone
• Conscious Sheep
• Blood Pressure
• Glucocorticoid
• Hypertension