Comparative effects of phenytoin and of a homologue on the adreno-pituitary system

Abstract

The therapeutic use of some médicaments is ofteu restrained by the apparition of annoying secondary effects which increase after long administration.

The secondary effects of diphenyl-hydantoin, recently described by Goodman and Gilman, haí‚ve called our atention. These consisting frequent phenomenae of hirsutism and gingival hyperplasia, could be explained by a stimulation of the hypo- physo-cortical adrenal System.

This hypotheí€se has bcen veriuí‚ed on the rat using 4 tests : 1.°) Decrease of the ascorbic acide content in adrenals and weigth of thymus. 2.u) Increase of glycogen content in the liver, muscle and brain. 3.°) Effect on the blood concentration of corticosteroids. 4.°) Elévation of the electroshock treshold by adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy.

These effects already patent with only one administration are intensified by succesive administration.
A homologous of the diphenylhydantoin, the 5 :5-diphenyltetrahydroglyoxaline-4-1, does not show, on the contrary, any of these effects.