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[Fatty material in adrenal cortex cells 1 month after contamination with detergent].

The presence of fatty substances: neutral lipids, triglycerides, and phospholipids was detected in the adrenal cortex 30 days after the termination of detergent influence on white laboratory rats. We found that neutral lipids were of increased quantity in the glomerular, fascicular and reticular zone. Triglycerides were present in a greater extent in the entire cortex of animals which were subjected to the influence of detergents. Phospholipids offer an analogue picture: their quantity was increased in all parts of the adrenal cortex in the experimental animals. The described features of the adrenal cortex after detergent influence termination, considering the three groups of fatty substances, undoubtedly indicate the increased activity of the adrenal cortex.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Progression of endocrinological and neurological dysfunction in adrenoleukodystrophy. Endocrinological evidence of an affection of the adrenal cortex independent of the cerebral disorder.

In a boy suffering from adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) the function of the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland was followed prospectively. At the onset of the disease an autonomic hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex was shown. Subsequently the secretion of cortisol dropped to low levels despite high plasma levels of ACTH. The results suggest a primary disorder of the adrenal cortex in ALD, which up till now could only be postulated on anatomical evidence. With the use of computerized tomography and electroencephalography abnormalities characteristic for ALD were shown. The progression of the disease was followed using these noninvasive methods of examination.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Dopamine may be a neurohormone in rat adrenal cortex.

In the periphery, dopamine (DA) is a precursor for norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) biosynthesis and is itself a neurotransmitter in sympathetic ganglia. In addition, DA may function as a neurohormone in providing maximum tonic inhibition of aldosterone secretion from the adrenal cortex. We have quantified the catecholamine content of the adrenal gland and have examined factors that regulate DA content of the adrenal cortex. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of four groups: adrenal demedullated (ADM); adrenal denervated via splanchnic nerve section (ADN); adrenal demedullated-denervated (DMN); and sham-operated controls (Sham). Ten days after surgery, rats were killed by decapitation, and the adrenals were removed and later assayed for catecholamine content. Compared with Sham, ADM and DMN decreased NE and EPI levels by 92-99% but DA levels by only 57-58%. ADN decreased levels of each catecholamine by 18-26%. These findings indicate that the adrenal cortex contains approximately 40% of the total gland content of DA and less than 8% of the total gland content of NE and EPI. Furthermore, DA in the adrenal cortex does not appear to require an intact splanchnic nerve supply to the adrenal. In a second experiment, we examined the effects of inhibition of catecholamine biosynthesis with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MPT) on DA content in Sham and ADM rats. In Sham rats, alpha-MPT decreased adrenal DA by 44% and heart NE by 37%. In contrast, treatment of ADM rats with alpha-MPT increased adrenal DA by 49% but decreased heart NE by 36%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Cortex↗

Purification and characterization of adrenodoxin reductase from bovine adrenal cortex.

NADPH-adrenodoxin reductase from steer adrenal cortex mitochrondria has been purified to homogeneity (on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex, and hydroxylapatite. A molecular weight of 51,500 was determined from sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, while sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation gave a value of 49,500. All of the flavine present was identified as FAD; 1 mol/52,000 g of protein. The reductase contained 1.7% carbohydrate (using glucose as standard) by weight. Homogeneous adrenodoxin reductase exhibited a typical oxidized flavoprotein absorbance spectrum, with maxima at 270, 376, and 450 nm, and gave an absorbance ratio A450/A270 of 0.122-0.128 (depending on the preparation). Reduction of the flavoprotein with NADPH or dithionite gave progressive bleaching of the 450-nm peak. The reductase was absolutely required, in the presence of adrenodoxin, for electron transfer from NADPH to cytochrome c or to particulate cytochrome P450. Adrenodoxin refuctase is obligatory for reconstitution of 11beta-hydroxylation activity using deoxycorticosterone as substrate, and for the side-chain cleavage of 20alpha-hydroxycholesterol or cholesterol. The specific activity of the homogeneous preparation in cytochrome c reduction is at least 17,000 nmol min-1 mg of protein-1, corresponding to a turnover number of 850 min-1. No evidence for the existence of multiple forms or subunits was obtained.

Adrenal Cortex↗

[Orthology of the adrenal cortex of the swine under defined stress-free conditions].

The adrenal cortex from the pig, which was hold on defined conditions without stress, was investigated with histological and histochemical methods. With regard to the classical distribution of the adrenal cortex in the zona glomerulosa s. arcuata, the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis, has been given a description of the cells on the several zones.

Adrenal Cortex↗

[Growth and functional activiy of the adrenal cortex during fetal development during exposure to hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions].

A study was made of lipid, cholesterol, and ascorbic acid content in the adrenal cortex of rabbit fetuses developing under conditions of normal pregnancy and under the action of hypoxic and hyperoxic exposures during its third trimester. It appeared that in normal pregnancy the adrenal cortex was activated, this being associated with the adaptive motor reactions of the developing fetus. The action of moderate hypoxic exposures led to a greater activation of moderate hypoxic exposures led to a greater activation of the adrenal cortex, this being expressed in a marked fall of lipid, cholesterol and ascorbic acid content. The weight of the total muscle mass and of the fetuses increased as a whole. The adrenal cortex became disactivated under conditions of the hyperoxic exposures; this is expressed in a marked increase in the content of the mentioned formations. The weight of the total mass and of the fetuses decreases.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Expression of viral p21ras during acquisition of a transformed phenotype by rat adrenal cortex cells infected with Kirsten murine sarcoma virus.

Rat adrenal cortex cells infected with Kirsten murine sarcoma virus acquire a transformed phenotype in a progressive fashion. The expression of the viral p21ras does not appear to correlate with the degree of transformation of the adrenocortical cells but rather is produced at similar levels as the culture becomes transformed. This indicates that the expression of an oncogenic form of p21ras is not of itself sufficient to completely transform rat adrenal cortex cells.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Metabolism and toxicity of xenobiotics in the adrenal cortex, with particular reference to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene.

The adrenal cortex contains high amounts of detoxifying enzymes, as well as generators and protectors of reactive oxygen species. The high content of cytochrome P-450 enzymes in the adrenal cortex together with its remarkable tendency to accumulate hydrophobic substances probably contributes to the extraordinary vulnerability of the gland to a number of xenobiotics. The best studied adrenocorticolytic compounds are the potent carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and its liver metabolite 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene (7-OHM-12-MBA). Adrenocorticolysis generated by these agents in vivo as well as in vitro demonstrates high regioselective requirements and is strongly influenced by the presence of ACTH, steroids, cytochrome P-450 inhibitors and antioxidants. Furthermore, 7-OHM-12-MBA has been demonstrated to uniquely generate selective and massive oxidation of mitochondrial glutathione in cultured rat adrenal cells. The DMBA-induced adrenocorticolysis is thoroughly discussed in this review with particular emphasis on the metabolism of DMBA and the influence of various effectors. A working hypothesis involving a possible peroxidative mechanism is also presented.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Evidence for 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in adrenal cortex of the rat and effects of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGI2 on adrenal cAMP levels and steroidogenesis.

Both intact cortical tissue and isolated cortical cells from the adrenal gland of the rat were analyzed for 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, the hydrolysis metabolite of PGI2, using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha was present in both incubations of intact tissue and isolated cells of the adrenal cortex, at higher concentrations than either PGF2 alpha or PGE2. Thus, the cortex does not depend upon vascular components for the synthesis of the PGI2 metabolite. Studies in vitro, using isolated cortical cells exposed to 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (10(-6)-10(-4)M), show that this PG does not alter cAMP levels or steroidogenesis. Cells exposed to PGI2 (10(-6)-10(-4)M), however, show a concentration-dependent increase of up to 4-fold in the levels of cAMP without altering cortico-sterone production, ACTH (5-200 microU/ml) increased cAMP levels up to 14-fold, and corticosterone levels up to 6-fold, in isolated cells. ACTH plus PGI2 produced an additive increase in levels of cAMP, however, the steroidogenic response was equal to that elicited by ACTH alone. Adrenal glands of the rat perfused in situ with PGI2 showed a small decrease in corticosterone production, whereas ACTH greatly stimulated steroid release. Thus, while 6-keto-PGF1 alpha is present in the rat adrenal cortex, its precursor, PGI2, is not a steroidogenic agent in this tissue although it does stimulate the accumulation of cAMP.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Sex differences in adrenocortical structure and function. XXII. Light- and electron-microscopic morphometric studies on the effects of gonadectomy and gonadal hormone replacement on the rat adrenal cortex.

The cytological aspects of sexual dimorphism in the rat adrenal cortex and its relationship to the gonads have been investigated. The adrenal glands of mature female rats were heavier than those of males, and morphometry showed that this was almost exclusively due to conspicuous differences in the volume of cells of the zona fasciculata (ZF) and zona reticularis (ZR). Stereology demonstrated that the volume of the mitochondrial and lipid droplet compartments, as well as the surface area per cell of mitochondrial cristae and smooth endoplasmic reticulum tubules, were markedly higher in the ZF and ZR cells of female animals. Orchiectomy increased and ovariectomy decreased the adrenal weight, by eliciting hypertrophy and atrophy, respectively, of ZF and ZR cells; these effects of gonadectomy were reversed by the appropriate gonadal hormone replacement. It is suggested that the sexual dimorphism of the rat adrenal cortex may depend upon the inhibitory action of testosterone and the stimulatory effect of estradiol on the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal axis.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Effects of glucocorticoids on differentiation of zona glomerulosa of fetal adrenal cortex of rats.

The tissue differentiation of the zona glomerulosa of the fetal adrenal cortex of rats was studied by giving experimental treatments to the fetus in vivo. A low-glucocorticoid-condition was given to the fetus by bilateral adrenalectomy of pregnant rats for removing exogenous glucocorticoids from the fetus, and by brain aspiration of the fetuses for removing the fetal pituitary gland (ACTH) and endogenous glucocorticoids. When the fetus was placed under a low-glucocorticoid-condition for the last couple of days of gestation, poor differentiation of the zona glomerulosa occurred specifically in the fetal adrenal cortex. The degree of the poor differentiation seemed to be proportional to the duration of the low-glucocorticoid-condition. Supplemental administration of glucocorticoids could prevent this poor differentiation of the zona glomerulosa. These results indicate that the tissue differentiation of the zona glomerulosa of the fetal adrenal cortex depends much on glucocorticoids.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Gender differences in adrenal cortex steroid production in SHR/N-corpulent rats.

Gender differences in adrenal steroid hormone production and serum steroid hormone levels were compared in the spontaneous hypertensive/NIH-corpulent (cp) rat, which exhibits characteristics of both obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The study demonstrated that adrenal gland size correlated with adrenal production and serum levels of steroid hormones. Obese female SHR/N-cp rats were more steroidogenic than male SHR/N-cp rats; the size of their adrenal glands was twice that of the males (70 vs 33 mg). Body weights averaged 666 g for females and 829 g for males. Obese female rats had significantly higher serum concentrations of both corticosterone (827 vs 536 ng/ml) and aldosterone (675 vs 482 pg/ml) than obese male rats. As determined by in vitro assay, adrenal cortex production of corticosterone (2157 vs 1435 ng/30 min) and aldosterone (13.3 vs 9.5 ng/30 min) was significantly higher in obese female than in obese male rats. Adrenal production of testosterone in the in vitro assay was also significantly higher for obese female than male rats; however, adrenal estrogen production in obese rats did not differ significantly. The type of carbohydrate consumed (sucrose > starch) significantly affected serum levels of corticosterone, but not aldosterone, testosterone, or estrogen. Gender differences in adrenal steroid production and serum steroid levels suggest that hyperglycemia in obese SHR/N-cp rats may be, in part, the result of excess adrenal production of steroid hormones.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Prolonged cerebellin administration inhibits the growth, but enhances steroidogenic capacity of rat adrenal cortex.

Cerebellin is a 16-amino acid peptide, that has been previously found to acutely stimulate steroid secretion from rat adrenal cortex in vivo and in vitro. We have investigated the effects of a prolonged cerebellin treatment (daily injections of 15 nmoles/kg for 6 consecutive days) on the growth and secretion of rat adrenal cortex. Cerebellin lowered adrenal weight, and morphometry showed that this was due to the decrease in the volume of each adrenocortical zone exclusively ensuing from the reduction in the number of its parenchymal cells. Cerebellin did not alter plasma concentration of ACTH, but it raised the levels of circulating aldosterone and corticosterone. The conclusion is drawn that cerebellin chronic administration evokes a marked hypoplastic atrophy of rat adrenocortical cells, that is coupled with an enhanced ACTH-independent steroidogenic capacity of the remaining parenchymal cells.

Adrenal Cortex↗