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At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Non-esterified cholesterol-rich adrenal lipid fractions. Preparation, properties and preferential utilization for cholesterol side-chain cleavage by corticotropin-stimulated adrenal mitochondria.

Rat adrenal 105,000 g supernatant contains two lipid moieties, 'lipid-I' and 'lipid-II' which contain non-esterified cholesterol and stimulate cholesterol side-chain cleavage in soluble or mitochondrial enzyme systems. Lipid-I contains relatively large low-density heat-stable particles, whereas lipid-II particles are smaller, more dense and heat-labile. Lipid-I and lipid-II can be separated from clear cytosol by ultracentrifugation and gel filtration respectively. Corticotropin plus cycloheximide treatment increases the non-esterified cholesterol concentrations in the lipid fractions, and stimulatory effects of lipids on cholesterol side-chain cleavage appear to correlate with non-esterified cholesterol concentrations therein. On addition of saturating amounts of cholesterol-rich lipid, pregnenolone synthesis and cholesterol binding to cytochrome P-450 are stimulated more in mitochondria from corticotropin-stimulated adrenals than in mitochondria from control or corticotropin-plus cycloheximide-stimulated adrenals. These results support the contention that the corticotropin-induced increase in mitochondrial cholesterol side-chain cleavage involves an increase in cholesterol utilization as well as an increase in cholesterol availability.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1990

Purification and some characteristics of an oestrogen sulphotransferase from guinea pig adrenal gland and its non-identity with adrenal pregnenolone sulphotransferase.

An oestrogen sulphotransferase, active towards both oestrone and oestradiol, and of high specific activity, is present in cytosol prepared from adrenal glands of both sexes of English Shorthair and Hartley guinea pigs. The ovarian and testicular cytosolic activities of this enzyme are markedly low in comparison with the adrenal activity. The adrenal enzyme is distinct from an accompanying pregnenolone sulphotransferase as judged by f.p.l.c. gel filtration, chromatofocusing, and differences in activation brought about by the addition of thiol groups. The oestrogen sulphotransferase behaved as a 67 kDa protein on a Sephadex G100 column and as a 48 kDa protein on f.p.l.c. gel-filtration columns. Two forms of the enzyme with apparent pI values of 6.1 and 5.5 were eluted during f.p.l.c. chromatofocusing. Sequential salt fractionation, f.p.l.c. gel filtration and elution from an agarose-hexane-adenosine-3',5'-diphosphate affinity gel has resulted in a preparation which, when resubmitted to f.p.l.c. gel filtration, yields a considerably purified oestrogen sulphotransferase. When submitted to SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions, a main protein band of 34-36 kDa is observed. It is suggested that the enzyme may exist as a dimer in the cytosol.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Genetics and pathology of hereditary adrenal hyperplasia in the rabbit: a model for congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia.

One-hundred-twenty-nine cases of adrenal hyperplasia in the rabbit were shown to be associated with a fully penetrant autosomal recessive gene, symbolized ah. The mutant is viable prenatally, may be recognized by gross examination of the adrenal at least as early as 19 days of gestation, but dies soon after birth. There is an external feminizing effect of the gene and the model is similar to the feminizing congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia reported in man. This mutant is being maintained in strain IIIVO/ahJ.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1993

Response of sympatho-adrenal axis and adrenal cortex to short-term restraint stress in sheep.

The sympatho-adrenal and pituitary-adrenal cortex axes are the most sensitive, and specific indicators of stress in animals. Increased plasma levels of catecholamines and glucocorticoids are generally considered as the classical response to stress. Most experiments on immobilization have been performed on rats and only a few of them concerned domestic animals. In this experiment we want to learn whether short-term restraint-a stressor most commonly used in animal husbandry-is a stressor for sheep (ewes) like in rats. For this reason we measured adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA) (radioenzymatic method), cortisol (RIA method), glucose and free fatty acids (FFA). Unlike in rats, in stressed sheep the peak of A appeared earlier than the NA peak, i.e. at 2 and 5 min. of stress, respectively. In contrast to rats, the basal and stress levels of NA exceeded the corresponding level of A. Cortisol concentration rose 7 fold above baseline and maximal concentration appeared at a time (15-30 min.) observed in other animal species. A similar time-related increase was observed in the plasma FFA concentration. It increased maximally 3.2 fold at 15 min. of stress. A significant correlation coefficient was found between plasma cortisol and FFA (r = 0.91) what may suggest the lipolytic effect of ACTH and/or a positive feedback of FFA on the hypophysis-adrenal axis. The plasma glucose of stressed animals rose only 1.47 fold above the basal level. A significant correlation was found between cortisol and glucose (r = 0.53) whereas no correlations have been obtained between A, NA and glucose or FFA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Effect of adrenal hormones on thyroid secretion and thyroid hormones on adrenal secretion in the sheep.

1. Previous work has shown that after stressful stimuli, sheep initially secrete increased amounts of thyroid hormone, at a time when adrenal secretion is also elevated. 2. This study was designed to evaluate (a) any short-term activation or inhibition of thyroid secretion by exogenous cortisol or ACTH administered in quantities comparable to those secreted after stress in sheep and (b) any short-term effect that exogenous thyroxine or triiodothyronine may have on the concentration of plasma cortisol in the sheep. 3. Thyroid activity was measured by determination of plasma protein bound 125I (PB125I) and total 125I in thyroid vein and mixed venous (jugular) blood. Plasma cortisol and thyroxine concentrations were measured by a competitive protein-binding assay at intervals for up to 5 hr after commencement of the experiment. 4. No evidence of an activation of thyroid secretion was found during cortisol or ACTH infusion, as monitored by thyroid vein PB125I. Similarly there was no evidence of any inhibition of thyroid function, as measured by continued secretion of thyroid hormones into thyroid vein blood. 5. No effect on plasma cortisol concentration due to thyroid hormone treatment was observed. 6. It was concluded that (a) elevated circulating corticosteroids in physiological concentrations have no short-term effects on thyroid activity in the sheep and (b) the short-term alterations in thyroid and adrenal cortical secretion observed during stress in the sheep could not be attributed to direct interaction of elevated thyroid hormone concentrations with adrenal cortical secretion.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1976

Entrainment of the adrenal rhythm to photoperiod prior to puberty: effects of early experience on the adrenal rhythm and puberty.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to a cycle of light and dark before the onset of the adrenal rhythm would be necessary in order for rats to develop a normal rhythm of peripheral corticosterone when placed in a test photoperiod at weaning age. Rats were reared in constant light (LL) until weaning age, at which time they were placed in a cycle of 14 h light, 10 h dark (14:10). Females born and reared in 14:10 had peak corticosterone values at 14.00 h on days 22 and 26, and at 18.00 h on days 32 and 36. Males did not display a clear-cut rhythm at 22 or 26 days but had peak corticosterone at 18.00 h on days 32 and 36. Males and females reared in LL until weaning had no rhythm as a group in 14:10 at 24 days of age, but had a corticosterone peak at 18.00 h on days 28 and 40. Females born and reared in LL and exposed to 14:10 for 1 day developed an adrenal rhythm regardless of the age at exposure, but only 25 day old animals showed a normal pattern for their age group. Puberty was advanced in rats exposed to a single day of 14:10 at 25 days of age, but was delayed in younger rats (22 days old), and was unaffected by light exposure in older rats (28 days of age). It can be concluded that early exposure to light-dark cycles is not required for the normal development of an adrenal rhythm in the weanling rat, and that the setting of the corticosterone rhythm to the photoperiod can occur quite rapidly. Rats at 25-26 days of age are able to respond differently to a light cycle challenge than younger rats. A photoperiodic stimulus at that time can advance the onset of puberty.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adrenal failure due to metastasis both to the hypothalamic-pituitary area and the adrenals.

A 61-year-old white male was admitted to our hospital with a big-cell bronchogenic carcinoma whose first clinical manifestation was diabetes insipidus (DI) secondary to metastasis to the hypothalamic-pituitary area (MHP). In three months, and progressively, he developed anterior pituitary failure, as well as primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) due to metastasis in both adrenals. Panhypopituitarism or PAI due to both MHP and adrenals has been rarely reported in the literature. A thorough examination of the oncologic patient led us to diagnose hormone insufficiency properly. The absence of reported cases might be due to the fact that the symptoms resulting from hormone insufficiency are veiled by the severe condition of the patients suffering from disseminated cancer.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1977

A superfusion system technique for the study of the sites of action of glucocorticoids in the rat hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal system in vitro. II. Hypothalamus-pituitary cell-adrenal cell superfusion.

Basal and stimulated CRF release by hypothalamic blocks was studied by coupling the effluent of superfused hypothalamus tissue to a joint pituitary cell-adrenal cell superfusion system and measuring corticosterone production. Log dose-response curves of the adrenal cells for ACTH and of the pituitary cell-adrenal cell system for CRF were linear over the ranges used. Ca++-independent basal CRF release by the hypothalamus could be blocked in vitro by 0.2 mug/ml dexamethasone in the medium, or in vivo by treating the hypothalamus donor rats with corticosterone, 1 mg/rat ip 30 min before decapitation. These treatments did not impair CRF release caused by Veratridine (5 x 10(-6)M or by electrical stimulation. Adrenalectomy increased only basal but not stimulated CRF release. These results indicate that glucocorticoids have a hypothalamic site of action.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2006

Adrenocorticotropin preferentially up-regulates angiopoietin 2 in the human fetal adrenal gland: implications for coordinated adrenal organ growth and angiogenesis.

CONTEXT: ACTH is the key tropic hormone for the human fetal adrenal (HFA). Because vascular development must be coordinated with organ growth, ACTH may regulate local angiogenic factors, thereby influencing HFA angiogenesis. We previously demonstrated that ACTH up-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor in HFA cortical cells. A newer angiogenic factor family, the angiopoietins (Angs), also plays critical roles. Ang1 stabilizes, whereas Ang2 destabilizes vessels, increasing responsiveness to angiogenic stimuli. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate expression and ACTH regulation of Angs and their receptor Tie2 in the HFA. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Studies were conducted involving RNA, frozen sections, and primary cell cultures from HFAs (14-24 wk) and human adult adrenal RNA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Angs and Tie2 mRNA levels were determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, Ang2 and Tie2 were localized by immunostaining, and ACTH regulation of Angs was investigated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. RESULTS: Mean HFA Ang2 to Ang1 mRNA ratio was 6.3-fold higher than adult adrenals (P < 0.001). Ang2 was localized predominantly in the HFA periphery, whereas Tie2 demonstrated endothelial localization. In isolated HFA cortical cells, ACTH up-regulated Ang mRNA levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with the balance favoring Ang2. Ang2 protein levels were elevated in ACTH-stimulated HFA cortical cells and conditioned medium. 8-Bromoadenosine cAMP and forskolin mimicked ACTH effects on the Angs. CONCLUSIONS: Higher HFA Ang2 to Ang1 ratios may reflect greater vascular remodeling than in the adult. Angs, particularly Ang2, in concert with vascular endothelial growth factor, may mediate ACTH tropic action, ensuring coordination of HFA growth, steroidogenesis, and angiogenesis.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed2001

Case of adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with possible adrenal hypersensitivity to angiotensin II.

With increasing case reports, it has been indicated that some cases with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) show abnormal responses in cortisol to various stimulation tests. Here we report a case of AIMAH that showed an aberrant response to angiotensin II via AT1 receptor in cortisol hypersecretion. A 53-yr-old man was admitted to our division seeking further examinations for the possible diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. He had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and physical stigmata, such as moon face and central obesity. His plasma ACTH level was undetectable, and plasma cortisol level was high. Plasma cortisol showed no normal diurnal rhythm and was not suppressed after the administration of 8 mg of dexamethasone. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated nodular enlargement of bilateral adrenal glands. He was diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome owing to AIMAH. An injection of arginine vasopressin (AVP) increased plasma cortisol and aldosterone levels, whereas ACTH remained undetectable. After 4 h in an upright position, plasma cortisol and aldosterone levels were increased. Pretreatment with candesartan, angiotensin II receptor AT1 antagonist, blocked the increase in plasma cortisol level. These results suggested a possibility of adrenal hypersensitivity to angiotensin II and AVP in cortisol secretion. Bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. The histological findings of the specimen were compatible with AIMAH. In summary, we have made the first report on a case of AIMAH with possible hypersensitivity to angiotensin II.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2000

Adrenalectomy for isolated adrenal metastases from non-adrenal cancer.

Adrenalectomy for metastatic cancer is rarely performed. The survival benefit for patients undergoing resection of isolated adrenal metastases is not clear. The goal of this study was to compile a series of such cases from national and international sources and examine patient survival. The patient series was derived from published series and case reports, plus eight new cases from an international registry of patients. We found 77 patients. We examined the effect of primary tumor site, metastasis size, and disease-free interval on postoperative survival duration, including only cases where complete resection with negative margins was achieved. We compared these patients with a large series from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (N=37). The median survival time after adrenalectomy was 23 months, with an operative mortality rate of 3.9%. There was a significant difference in survival duration depending on primary tumor site. A longer disease-free interval from time of primary cancer therapy to adrenal metastasis was associated with a longer postoperative survival after adrenalectomy. Metastasis size did not affect survival. Survival times for USA and non-USA patients were similar. Survival duration of the 77 analytical patients was similar to that of the 37 non-analytical patients from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Selected patients, particularly those with long disease-free intervals and favorable tumor biology, should be offered resection for isolated adrenal metastases.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1992

Adrenal P-450scc modulates activity of P-45011 beta in liposomal and mitochondrial membranes. Implication of P-450scc in zone specificity of aldosterone biosynthesis in bovine adrenal.

Bovine adrenal P-45011 beta catalyzes the 11 beta- and 18-hydroxylation of corticosteroids as well as aldosterone synthesis. These activities of P-45011 beta were found to be modulated by another mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 species, P-450scc. The presence together of P-45011 beta and P-450scc in liposomal membranes was found to remarkably stimulate the 11 beta-hydroxylase activity of P-45011 beta and also stimulate the cholesterol desmolase activity of P-450scc. The stimulative effect of P-450scc on 11 beta-hydroxylase activity diminished by the addition of protein-free liposomes to proteoliposomes containing P-45011 beta and P-450scc, thus showing P-450scc to interact with P-45011 beta in the same membranes. Kinetic analysis of this effect indicated the formation of an equimolar complex between P-45011 beta and P-450scc on liposomal membranes. P-45011 beta in the complex had not only stimulated activity for 11 beta- and 18-hydroxylation of 11-deoxycorticosterone but also suppressed activity for production of 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone. When the inner mitochondrial membranes of zona fasciculata-reticularis from bovine adrenal were treated with anti-P-450scc IgG, aldosterone formation was stimulated to a greater extent than that of zona glomerulosa. This indicates the aldosterone synthesizing activity of P-45011 beta in the zona fasciculata-reticularis to be suppressed by interaction with P-450scc. The zone-specific aldosterone synthesis of P-45011 beta in bovine adrenal may possibly be induced by differences in interactions with P-450scc of mitochondrial membranes in each zone.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1989

Prenatal development of the adrenal gland in the pig (Sus scrofa domestica). Part I. The differentiation and development of the adrenal cortex primordium in the first half of pregnancy.

The differentiation and development of the adrenal gland in pig embryos from 18 to 48 days of pregnancy were investigated with histological and histochemical methods and in electron microscope. Primordia of the adrenal cortex appear at 21st day as two symmetrical streaks of the condensed mesenchymal cells between the mesonephros, aorta dorsalis and mesenterium. The capillaries and chromaffinoblasts penetrate the primordium. The mesenchymal cells differentiate into adrenal cortical cells. In the differentiating cells both, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum as well as the number of mitochondria increase. The shape of the cells changes and their projections transform into microvilli. The fetal cortical cells have features of the steroidogenic cells with abundant SER in whorls and numerous mitochondria with tubular cristae. The giant mitochondria and dense lamellar bodies were observed in these cells. The microvilli on cell surfaces form a microlabirynth in intercellular and perivascular spaces.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1989

[Adrenal arterial embolization and radiotherapy of a case with metastatic adrenal tumor and its tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava from hepatocellular carcinoma].

Right adrenal arterial embolization and radiotherapy were performed in a patient to treat the metastatic tumor and its tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava from hepatocellular carcinoma. This case developed no complication following the embolization and radiotherapy. This therapy necrosed the metastatic tumor and made inferior vena cava recanalization. Adrenal arterial embolization and radiotherapy were effective treatment for the metastatic adrenal tumor and its tumor thrombus.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

Effect of constant light and darkness on the mitotic activity of adrenal cortex undergoing adrenal regeneration or compensatory growth in male Wistar rats.

The effect of constant light and darkness on the mitotic activity of the adrenal cortex in the course of adrenal regeneration and compensatory growth in male Wistar rats was investigated. Three separate experiments were performed in different seasons. It was found, that on the tenth day of both regeneration and compensatory growth, constant darkness decreased the mitotic activity of the adrenal cortex, and in contrast, constant light had no significant effect when compared with the controls.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1987

Cytochemical localization of calcium in mitochondria of regenerating rat adrenal cortex. A study of adrenal regeneration hypertension.

The distribution of calcium in the mitochondria of the adrenal gland was studied during development of adrenal regeneration hypertension. Electron opaque precipitate (calcium antimonate) was localized predominantly in the intercristal space within mitochondria and in cisternae of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Stereological techniques were employed to quantitate the volume per cell of precipitate. Compared to the zona glomerulosa or zona fasciculata of controls, the volume per cell of electron opaque precipitate in mitochondria of the regenerating gland was significantly reduced at 5 and 14 days after enucleation. By 21 days, the volume of mitochondrial precipitate per cell, while more than that in zona glomerulosa cells, was less than in mitochondria from control zona fasciculata cells. As a comparison, normal rats were treated with ACTH or were hypophysectomized. ACTH-treatment did not greatly increase the precipitate associated with mitochondria in the zona fasciculata. Mitochondria in the zona fasciculata of hypophysectomized rats however showed a significant reduction in precipitate per cell correlating with a significantly reduced volume of mitochondria per cell as compared to those of control zona fasciculata cells. Giant mitochondria were observed in hypophysectomized animals. Volume of precipitate per cell associated with smooth endoplasmic reticulum was increased slightly, but significantly, as compared to that in controls treated with ACTH, whereas in hypophysectomized rats, it was decreased significantly. Adrenocortical cells arising from the zona glomerulosa and sub zona glomerulosa region differentiate to zona fasciculata cells during regeneration and may have an altered capacity to concentrate calcium. Change in intramitochondrial calcium may be correlated with the reduced formation of corticosterone from its precursor, deoxycorticosterone, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of adrenal regeneration hypertension.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1983

[Functional relations of the adrenal cortex, thyroid and pineal body. II. Adrenal cortex reaction following epiphysectomy and administration of melatonin].

Histologic-cytological and morphometrical changes were investigated in the adrenal cortex of male Wistar-rats following pinealectomy and application of melatonin in eu-, hypo-, and hyperthyroid situations. A rat experiment (at an average of 45 d) to find a possible functional connection between the pineal gland and the adrenal cortex was carried out. In the literature, there are only a few of informations about the role of the pineal in regulating ACTH secretion. The results are very contrarily. We found that pinealectomy is connected with a progressive transformation and melatonin with a little regressive transformation in the adrenal cortex. But, it is not evident, that the glomerular zone is activated after both pinealectomy and application of melatonin. In our opinion, the glomerular zone and the secretion of aldosterone increased after as well pinealectomy as melatonin. Application of melatonin diminishes the function of the pineal gland (see group 4-pinealectomy plus melatonin-where was found a progressive transformation). Under these experimental conditions, one can speak of a "pharmacological pinealectomy" after application of melatonin alone. However, the effect of melatonin on the fascicular zone and the glomerular zone is different. The effects of pinealectomy or application of melatonin in combination with methylthiouracil or thyroxin are relatively unimportant.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1978

[The development of the adrenal cortex in pig (Sus scrofa domestica). (A contribution on the development of the fetal interior zone of the adrenal cortex in pig) (author's transl)].

The adrenals of pigs have been investigated histologically and histochemically during different periods of time pre- and postnatally. The pig (Sus scrofa domestica) shows a proper fetal cortex in the prenatal development of the adrenal gland. This involves slowly during the last quarter of pregnancy. A weight reduction is not noted thereby. Just before delivery the adrenal cortex of the pig has been subdivided into a zona arcuata and zona fasciculata. The zona reticularis develops only postnatally.

Adrenal Cortex↗