Aldosterone reverses potassium-induced food aversions in adrenalectomized rats

Young adult male rats were individually housed and given a standard ration (66 ml) of a liquid diet (Nutrament) each day. The animals were divided into 7 groups: five groups were bilaterally adrenalectomized (ADX) and given one of 5 doses of aldosterone and/or dexamethasone by continuous, osmotic minipump infusions. The remaining two groups served as intact and sham operated controls. Each of the seven groups were subdivided into 3 dietary groups: a basal potassium dietary group, a moderately potassium-supplemented dietary group, and a highly potassium-supplemented dietary group. All rats with intact adrenals as well as those ADX rats given basal or 10 X basal aldosterone treatment consumed all of their allotted 66 ml of diet each day, independent of the level of potassium supplementation. ADX rats given little or no aldosterone treatment that were given access to the moderately or highly supplemented diets became anorexic, eating little or none of the diet. These data are discussed with reference to the factors controlling the intake of ADX rats.