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At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Direct evidence that cholesterol ester hydrolase from adrenal cortex is the same enzyme as hormone-sensitive lipase from adipose tissue.

Several properties of the cytosolic cholesterol ester hydrolase from bovine adrenal cortex were investigated and those properties were compared directly with those of the well-characterised hormone-sensitive lipase, the rate-limiting enzyme in adipose tissue lipolysis. Properties examined included: (a) activity against different substrates; (b) susceptibility to inhibition by NaF, Hg2+ ions and diisopropyl fluorophosphonate; (c) subunit molecular weight as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate; (d) ability to serve as a substrate for cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase; (e) effect of phosphorylation on enzyme activity; and (f) degradation pattern of polypeptides following limited proteolysis. In all respects the two enzymes exhibited essentially identical characteristics. It is therefore concluded that the same protein, or two very similar proteins, catalyses the hydrolysis of cholesterol esters in adrenal cortex and lipolysis in adipose tissue. The implication of this finding is discussed in relation to the hormonal control of steroidogenesis in adrenal cortex and of lipolysis in adipose tissue.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin antagonists on the functional state of the adrenal cortex].

The effect of 5-oxytryptophan, injected singly and in combination with the serotonin antagonists (novocain, atropine and bigumal) on the ascorbic acid level in the adrenal cortex and the eosinophilic content in the peripheral blood of white rats was studied. It was ascertained that 5-oxytryptophan reduced significantly the amount of ascorbic acid in the adrenal cortex and produced eosinopenia. Novocain, atropine and bigumal did not exert a similar effect. A combined injection of 5-oxytryptophan together with the mentioned antagonists of serotonin prevented eosinopenia evoked by 5-oxytryptophan. At the same time, the tested antagonists of serotonin did not change the effect of 5-oxytryptophan on the level of ascorbic acid in the adrenal cortex.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1998

Localization and expression of adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor mRNA in normal and neoplastic human adrenal cortex.

The recent cloning of the ACTH receptor (ACTH-R) gene allows investigation of the tissue localization and relative abundance of ACTH-R mRNA in normal and neoplastic adrenal cortex. Using in situ hybridization (ISH) we studied the expression of ACTH-R mRNA in four adult adrenals of brain-dead patients, two cortisol-producing adenomas (CPA), three aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA), one non-functional adenoma (NFA), and three carcinomas. The results were compared with the mRNA expression of key steroidogenic enzymes and of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA using Northern blotting. In adult adrenals, messenger RNA encoding ACTH-R was localized in all three zones of the adrenal cortex, in accordance with the stimulatory role of ACTH on mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid and adrenal androgen secretion. In comparison, expression of side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) showed a similar tissue distribution with mRNA abundance in all three zones, whereas 17-hydroxylase/17-20 lyase (P450c17) mRNA expression was only detected in the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. All CPAs and APAs expressed significant levels of ACTH-R mRNA whereas an NFA showed low expression of ACTH-R mRNA. Two of three adrenocortical carcinomas expressed ACTH-R mRNA. Northern analysis using dot blot was employed to quantify ACTH-R and GR mRNA expression and confirmed the ISH data: ACTH-R mRNA expression was high in CPAs (275 and 195% vs 100 +/- 25% in adult adrenals), APAs (127, 200 and 221%) and two carcinomas (99 and 132%), but low in the NFA (7%) and in an androgen secreting carcinoma (16%). GR mRNA expression was high in the NFA (195%) and in two of three carcinomas (93, 188, 227%). We conclude that ACTH-R mRNA is upregulated in functional adenomas by yet unidentified mechanisms. The tissue distribution of ACTH-R and P450 enzyme mRNA expression is highly variable in neoplastic adrenals and does not allow a clear differentiation between benign and malignant tumors.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2006

Age-dependent decrease in the ghrelin gene expression in the human adrenal cortex: a real-time PCR study.

Numerous lines of evidence indicate that ghrelin, an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone-secretagogue receptor, is expressed in the human and rat adrenal cortex. In this study, we examined whether ghrelin gene expression undergoes changes in the human adrenal cortex during aging. Semi-quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated a highly significant negative correlation between ghrelin mRNA and age in adrenal cortex of 27 patients (aged from 33 to 82 years), who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy/nephrectomy for kidney cancer. No significant differences in the level of adrenal ghrelin expression were observed between males and females. Since it has been previously shown that ghrelin exerts a marked growth-stimulating action on cultured adrenocortical cells, we hypothesize that the down-regulation of ghrelin gene transcription in adrenals could be associated with the reported decrease in adrenal DNA synthesis and mitogenic activity during aging.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed2002

Effects of repeated exposures to xenon on rat adrenal cortex ultrastructure.

Xenon has many properties of the ideal anaesthetic and it has been proposed to replace classic volatile anaesthetics. Although some studies demonstrated that xenon does not induce gross morphological changes in major organs, little is known on its possible ultrastructural effects. The present study investigates the subcellular effects of repeated exposures to 70% xenon on rat adrenal cortex in comparison with N2O. Animals were divided into four groups: xenon-exposed, N2O-exposed, sham-exposed and controls. Exposed rats were placed into a sealed cage to breathe the respective gas mixture for 2.5 h/day for a week. Specimens of adrenal cortex for electron microscopy and blood samples for determination of corticosterone plasma levels were taken at the end of the last exposure or one week after the last exposure (recovery). Adrenal cortex from N2O- and sham-exposed rats mainly showed dilation of endoplasmic reticulum, whereas xenon-exposed rats also exhibited several cells with lipid droplets appearing subdivided into smaller droplets, irregular in shape and size. In all experimental groups, corticosterone plasma levels increased in comparison to controls. Both ultrastructural and hormonal changes were not detected anymore after one week from the last exposure. These findings indicate that xenon is able to induce subcellular changes in rat adrenal cortex, mainly at the level of lipid structures. The transient changes induced by xenon suggest that this gas can be regarded as a safer anaesthetic.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1999

Studies on cytogenesis in adult rat adrenal cortex: circadian and zonal variations and their modulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Circadian rhythms and zonal variations in the cell proliferation of adult rat adrenal cortex were studied by following the cells in the DNA-synthesizing stage (S-phase) as assessed by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into the cell-nuclei and/or by visualizing proliferating cell nuclear antigen. The S-phase cells were observed throughout the day in two regions of the adrenal cortex: (i) a region from the inner half of the zona glomerulosa to near the outer margin of the zona fasciculata, and (ii) the outer one-fourth portion of the zona fasciculata. Very little change in number was observed in the former region between day and night, while a burst of cell proliferation occurred in early morning at 3-4 a.m. in the latter region. A prominent rise in the plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration preceded the burst of cell proliferation by about 4 h. Upon raising the plasma ACTH concentration by administration of ACTH or metyrapone, prominent cell proliferation also occurred in the same portion of the zona fasciculata 4-6 h after the provoked ACTH surge. Thus at least two sites in rat adrenal cortex are responsible for cytogenesis in this endocrine organ, and respond differentially to day/night cycles and circulating ACTH levels.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1992

[The effect of chemical damage to the adrenal cortex on its ontogenetic development].

We studied adrenal gland of rats at the age of 1 month, which underwent injections of dioxin-preparations during a week. In 1, 6, 12 days; 1, 3, 5, 5, 7, 13 months adrenal gland mass, adrenal cortex size, adrenocorticocytes number, 3B-ol-steroid dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase activities of the experimental animals differed greatly from that of the control. It was found that chemical damage of the gland at an early stage changes it greatly during the following ontogenic development.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1974

A functioning black adenoma of the adrenal cortex: a clinico-pathological entity.

A 25-year-old woman is described who had suspected hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex. She complained of fatiguability, excessive hair growth, and attacks of swelling of the face, hands, and ankles. Moreover she had a ;moon face', hypertension, a ;buffalo hump', and livid striae of the loins and hypogastrium. Adrenal function tests yielded values which could not be clearly interpreted. Operation showed a ;black adenoma' of the adrenal cortex on the right side. As far as it is known this is the first published case of this extremely rare lesion which was operated upon and caused nearly complete remission of the endocrine disturbance.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1981

Effects of cholesterol-rich diet and hypolipidemic drug (clofibrate, CPIB) on the adrenal cortex in rats--ultrastructural stereological and biochemical analysis.

Stereological analysis at the electron microscope level was performed on zona fasciculata and zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex of male rats maintained on normal rat chow, clofibrate (hypolipidemic drug), cholesterol-rich diet or cholesterol-rich diet plus clofibrate. The purpose of this study is to know whether the alteration in the serum cholesterol level is accompanied by an alteration in the ultrastructure and steroidogenic activity of the adrenal cortex, and to compare these changes with those of Leydig cells reported previously. The corticosterone level in both serum and the adrenal tissue of cholesterol-fed rats remained unchanged. Treatment of the cholesterol-fed rats with clofibrate caused a significant rise in the serum corticosterone level but the concentration in the adrenal remained unchanged. Lipid droplets increased in number and volume significantly in both cortical zones in all experimental groups as compared with the control group. But neither cholesterol feeding nor clofibrate treatment of normal rats caused a change in the volume or surface area of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Treatment with clofibrate on the cholesterol-fed rats resulted in a decrease in the volume of smooth ER in both cortical zones. Mitochondria showed no change except for a decrease in volume and inner membrane surface area of zona reticularis of cholesterol-fed rats. Peroxisomes did not proliferate but rather decreased in clofibrate-treated rats. These changes in the adrenal cortex were different from those in Leydig cells. Possible reasons for these differences were discussed.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1987

The effect of splanchnic nerve section on the sensitivity of the adrenal cortex to adrenocorticotrophin in the calf.

1. Adrenal cortical responses to adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) in conscious 2-6-week-old calves, in which both splanchnic nerves had been cut at least 7 days previously, were compared with those of normal calves of the same age in order to discover whether splanchnic nerve section affects the sensitivity of the adrenal cortex to the trophin. 2. In one series of experiments an increase in the release of endogenous ACTH was elicited by an i.v. infusion of noradrenaline (333 ng min-1 kg-1 for 10 min) and in another the concentration of ACTH in the plasma was artificially increased by infusing synthetic ACTH1-24 intravenously at either 5 or 10 ng min-1 kg-1 for 10 min. 3. In all groups mean plasma ACTH was linearly related to mean plasma cortisol and the sensitivity of the adrenal steroidogenic response to ACTH was found to be substantially reduced 7 or more days after section of both splanchnic nerves.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1983

Lys-gamma 3-melanotropin binds with high affinity to the rat adrenal cortex.

Partially purified plasma membrane preparations from the inner zones of the rat adrenal exhibit a specific and high affinity for a pro-gamma MSH peptide, synthetic rat Lys-[125I-iodo-Tyr1] gamma 3MSH, that is time and temperature dependent, reversible, and saturable. Studies with demedullated adrenals indicate that at least part of this binding is to the adrenal cortex. Scatchard analysis reveals a single class of binding sites (101 fmol/mg membrane protein) for the radioactive ligand, with an apparent Kd of 0.74 nM. However, this may understate the receptor affinity for native pro-gamma MSH(s), because the binding capacity of Lys-gamma 3MSH is impaired somewhat by iodination. Lys-[125I-iodo-Tyr1] gamma 3MSH exhibits a 100-fold higher affinity for the binding site than ACTH-(1-24), but unlike ACTH, concentrations of Lys-gamma 3MSH up to 10 microM fail to stimulate membrane-associated adenylate cyclase activity. Guanylate cyclase in this subcellular fraction also is unresponsive to Lys-gamma 3MSH. Results obtained with crude membrane fractions from other rat tissues suggest that specific pro-gamma MSH binding may not be unique to the adrenal cortex.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1988

Relationship between mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and alpha-tocopherol levels in the guinea-pig adrenal cortex.

Lipid peroxidation in mitochondria from the functionally distinct inner (zona reticularis) and outer (zona fasciculata + zona glomerulosa) zones of the guinea-pig adrenal cortex was investigated. Ferrous ion (Fe2+)-induced lipid peroxidation was far greater in inner than outer zone mitochondria. Ascorbic acid similarly initiated lipid peroxidation to a greater extent in inner zone mitochondrial preparations. Differences in the unsaturated fatty acid content of inner and outer zone mitochondria could not account for the regional differences in lipid peroxidation. Total fatty acid concentrations were greater in the outer than in the inner zone, and the relative amounts of each fatty acid were similar in the two zones. However, mitochondrial concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, an antioxidant known to inhibit lipid peroxidation, were approx. 5-times greater in the outer than inner zone. The results demonstrate that there are regional differences in mitochondrial lipid peroxidation in the adrenal cortex which may be attributable to differences in alpha-tocopherol content. Thus, alpha-tocopherol may serve to protect outer zone mitochondrial enzymes from the consequences of lipid peroxidation and thereby contribute to some of the functional differences between the zones of the adrenal cortex.

Adrenal Cortex↗