EFFECTS OF CORTISOL ON BLOOD-PRESSURE AND SALT PREFERENCE IN NORMAL HUMANS

1. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosteroids stimulate s alt appetite in laboratory animals. The hypothesis tested was that cor tisol administration increases salt preference in humans 2. Sodium tas te studies (detection and recognition thresholds, taste intensity and preference tests) were conducted before, during and after cortisol adm inistration (200 mg/day for 5 days) in normal men on a free diet. 3. C ortisol significantly increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), 113+/-3 -130+/-4 mmHg, P<0.05; diastolic blood pressure (DBP), 65+/-3-81+/-2 m mHg, 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 a nd recognition thresholds, taste intensity and preference for sodium c hloride were unchanged following cortisol.