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At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Effect of prostaglandins on steroidogenesis by bovine adrenal cortex mitochondria.

Prostaglandins (PGA1, PGE2, PGF2 alpha) were found to increase cholesterol side-chain clevage activity in isolated bovine adrenal cortex mitochondria, provided calcium was present in the incubation medium. Optimal stimulation was observed at low PG concentrations (10-7 to 10-9 M), with malate or malate-NADPH supported side-chain cleavage. Under the same conditions, two endoperoxide analogs and several fatty acids were ineffective. The PG action was not observed with a mitochondrial acetone powder preparation. These observations suggest that primary PG may act by interfering with calcium distribution at the mitochondrial level, leading to the activation of cholesterol side-chain cleavage. Thus, an intracellular action of endogenous PG may be considered in the regulation of adrenal cortex steroidogenic functions.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1987

Failure of melatonin to inhibit the mitotic activity of regenerating adrenal cortex in rats.

Although there is little evidence that melatonin may have a direct antimitotic effect on various cells, it has been shown that this pineal compound may influence the cell proliferation of either normal or neoplastic cells. Therefore, the influence of melatonin on the mitotic activity of regenerating adrenal cortex of rats was studied. The mitotic activity was counted in the adrenal cortex or rats on days 2, 7, and 12 following enucleation of the adrenals. Melatonin did not influence the mitotic activity of regenerating adrenal cortex in the rat.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Functional morphology of adenohypophysis, thymus, and adrenal cortex in sudden infant death syndrome].

Adrenal glands, hypophysis and thymus of infants (mean age-4 months), who died of SIDS (30 cases), AVRI (10 cases) and violence (4 cases) were studied by morphometrical methods. The following changes in SIDS (in comparison with AVRI and violent death) were observed: a decrease of hypothesis weight with decreased quantity and size of basophil cells; reduced adrenal weight with thinning of the cortex particularly in the fascicular zone; diminished volumes of the nuclei in the adrenocortical cells of the fascicular zone; thymomegaly with hyperplasia of the thymus cortex; increased number of correlation links between morphometric indices of hypophysis and adrenal cortex. These changes may be indicative of a subclinical hypophyseal-adrenal insufficiency in SIDS. Adrenal cortex hypofunction was indirectly confirmed by the presence of thymomegaly. Long-lasting glucocorticoid deficiency in secondary hypocorticoidism may cause sudden infant death following minor environmental causes.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1991

The effects of monensin on Golgi complex of adrenal cortex and steroidogenesis.

The ultrastructural and biochemical changes produced by monensin on zona fasciculata cells of the rat adrenal cortex are described. In this study we used adrenal cells in culture, adrenal slices and the intact animal. Monensin (1 microM) was added to the culture medium containing the cells, and to the incubation medium containing the adrenal slices, and was injected intravenously to the intact animal (0.65 mg/kg body weight). The ultrastructural alterations were similar in the three experimental conditions, and consisted of Golgi complex disorganization with dilated cisternae or large smooth vesicles. Quantitative analysis showed a significant increase of the relative volume of the Golgi area. The biochemical study demonstrated a significant decrease of corticosterone concentrations in culture medium after monensin addition, and in adrenal glands from treated rats. These results showed that monensin alters the fine structure of adrenal cortex Golgi complex and inhibits corticosteroidogenesis, which supports the probable role of the Golgi complex in the regulation of steroidogenesis.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1985

Morphological changes in the adrenal cortex in different variants of low-renin hyperaldosteronism. Comparison with the functional state of certain hormonal systems.

On the basis of morphological and histochemical examination of adrenal tissue of 45 patients with arterial hypertension and low-renin hyperaldosteronism, the following five morphological variants of this disease were differentiated: 1) with adenoma of the adrenal cortex and atrophy of surrounding cortical tissue; 2) with adenoma and hyperplasia of elements of the zona glomerulosa and(or) the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis; 3) with multiple adenomatosis of the adrenal cortex; 4) with isolated diffuse or focal hyperplasia of the zona glomerulosa; 5) with nodal, diffuse-nodal or diffuse hyperplasia of all cortical zones. In tumours, three structural variants, corresponding to their histogenesis, were identified. A correlation was found between morphological variants and hormonal diagnosis of different forms of low-renin hyperaldosteronism.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2003

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone-secretagogue receptor, is expressed in the human adrenal cortex.

Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), which was originally isolated from rat stomach. Ghrelin and GHS-R are also expressed in several peripheral tissues, including adrenal glands, and this prompted us to study ghrelin expression and ghrelin-binding site localization in the human adrenal cortex, and the possible effect of this peptide on corticosteroid-hormone secretion. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and radioimmune assay (RIA) showed sizeable expression of ghrelin mRNA and protein in six human adrenal cortexes. Autoradiography evidenced abundant [125I]ghrelin binding sites in the adrenal zona glomerulosa and outer zona fasciculata. However, ghrelin (10(-6) M) did not significantly affect either basal or agonist (ACTH and angiotensin-II)-stimulated early and late steps of steroid-hormone synthesis from adrenocortical slices (as measured by quantitative high pressure liquid chromatography). Since zona glomerulosa is the cambium layer involved in the growth maintenance of adrenal cortex, the present coupled RT-PCR, RIA and autoradiographic findings could suggest the involvement of ghrelin in the autocrine-paracrine regulation of human adrenal growth.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone↗
PubMed1994

Gene expression, localization, and characterization of endothelin A and B receptors in the human adrenal cortex.

Compelling evidence indicates that the endothelium-derived potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) stimulates aldosterone secretion by interacting with specific receptors. Although two different ET-1 receptors have been identified and cloned, the receptor subtype involved in mediating aldosterone secretion is still unknown. Accordingly, we wished to investigate whether the genes of ET-1 and of its receptors A and B are expressed in the normal human adrenal cortex. We designed specific primers for ET-1 and the ETA and ETB receptors genes and developed a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with chemiluminescent quantitation of the cDNA. In addition, we carried out 125I ET-1 displacement studies with cold ET-1, ET-3 and the specific ETA and ETB ligands BQ123 and sarafotoxin 6C. Localization of each receptor subtype was also investigated by autoradiography. Binding experiments were first individually analyzed by Scatchard and Hofstee plot and then coanalyzed by the nonlinear iterative curve fitting program Ligand. Histologically normal adrenal cortex tissue, obtained from kidney cancer patients (n = 7), and an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), which is histogenetically derived from the zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells, were studied. Results showed that the ET-1, ETA and ETB mRNA can be detected by RT-PCR in all adrenal cortices as well as in the APA. The best fitting of the 125I ET-1 displacement binding data was consistently provided by a two-site model both in the normal adrenal cortex (F = 22.1, P < 0.0001) and in the APA (F = 18.4, P < 0.0001). In the former the density (Bmax) of the ETA and ETB subtype was 2.6 +/- 0.5 pmol/mg protein (m +/- SEM) and 1.19 +/- 0.6, respectively. The dissociation constant (Kd) of ET-1, ET-3, S6C, and BQ-123 for each receptor subtype resulted to be within the range reported for human tissue for the ETA and ETB receptors. In the APA tissue the Bmax tended to be lower (1.33 and 0.8 pmol/mg protein, for the ETA and ETB, respectively) but the Kd were similar. Autoradiographic studies confirmed the presence of both receptor subtypes on the ZG as well as on APA cells. Thus, the genes of ET-1 and both its receptor subtypes ETA and ETB are actively transcribed in the human adrenal cortex. Furthermore, both receptor subtypes are translated into proteins in ZG and APA cells.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1983

Sex differences in adrenocortical structure and function. XII. Stereologic studies of rat adrenal cortex in the course of maturation.

This paper reports a stereological study of the cellular aspects of development of the adrenal cortex of male and female rats in the course of maturation. Rats of the Wistar strain were studied at weekly intervals from day 21 to day 77 of postnatal life. From day 42 homogenates of adrenals from female rats produced more corticosterone than homogenates from males of corresponding age. In the strain of rats studied sex differences in adrenal weight appeared at about day 49. From this day onward relative, and subsequently absolute adrenal weights were higher in females than in males. In the course of maturation the total volume of all adrenocortical zones gradually increased. From day 70 the zona glomerulosa and from day 49 the zona fasciculata were larger in female than in male rats, while no distinct sex difference was observed in the volume of the zona reticularis. The appearance of sex-related differences in the adrenal cortex depends mainly on changes in the zona fasciculata, the cells of which markedly increased in volume in female rats by comparison with males. The total number of all adrenocortical cells increased from ca 13 million on day 21 to ca 25 million on day 77 and at all intervals studied adrenal glands of male and female rats contained a similar number of parenchymal cells.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1976

Ferrous ion-mediated cytochrome P-450 degradation and lipid peroxidation in adrenal cortex mitochondria.

The relationship between the degradation reaction of cytochrome P-450 and lipid peroxidation was studied utilizing bovine adrenal cortex mitochondria. The two reactions were found to be closely correlated in terms of their response to storage of the mitochondrial preparation, stimulation by Fe2+, inhibition by EDTA and their initiation by cumene hydroperoxide. Both reactions were also found not to be inhibited by catalase, superoxide dismutase, 1,4-diazabicyclo-(2,2,2)-octane and alcohols, indicating that H2O2, superoxide, singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals do not participate in these reactions. Yet, diphenylamine proved to be a powerful inhibitor for both reactions, suggesting the involvement of a radical species. Cumene hydroperoxide could induce these two reactions at below 0.1 mM concentrations in the presence of molecular oxygen. The chemiluminescence observed during the Fe2+-mediated lipid peroxidation reaction which was not inhibited by either superoxide dismutase or 1,4-diazabicyclo-(2,2,2)-octane, was biphasic: one was a rapid burst; and the other was a slowly increasing emission. The latter portion of the emission of light coincided with the formation of malondialdehyde. These results indicate that in adrenal cortex mitochondria the degradation of cytochrome P-450 is closely related to lipid peroxidation.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1986

Stoichiometry of mitochondrial cytochromes P-450, adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase in adrenal cortex and corpus luteum. Implications for membrane organization and gene regulation.

We have estimated the concentrations of cytochromes P-450scc and P-45011 beta and the electron-transfer proteins adrenodoxin reductase and adrenodoxin in the adrenal cortex and corpus luteum using specific antibodies against these enzymes. While in the adrenal cortex the concentrations of these enzymes are relatively constant in different animals and show no significant sex differences, in corpora lutea they vary considerably and can increase at least up to fifty-fold over the levels found in the ovary. The average relative concentrations of adrenodoxin reductase, adrenodoxin and P-450 are 1:3:8 in the adrenal cortex (which has two cytochromes P-450, P-450scc and P-450(11) beta, in equal concentrations) and 1:2.5:3 in the corpus luteum (which has only P-450scc). We further present evidence that the levels of cytochrome c oxidase also show a degree of correlation with the levels of the mitochondrial steroidogenic enzymes.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1980

Effect of unilateral vagotomy on mitotic activity of adrenal cortex.

Unilateral cervical vagotomy resulted in a significant increase of the mitotic incidence in the adrenal cortex of male rats at 14 days after the operation. This finding suggests the involvement of the vagus nerve in the control of adrenal cortex cells growth, even though the mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Quantitative evaluation of the ultrastructural restructurings of the adrenal cortex of rats under stress after preliminary administration of corticotropin].

Submicroscopic changes in the adrenal cortex in dynamics of stress reaction development following preliminary corticotropin injection are characterized by less pronounced variations in quantitative parameters of basic structural components of parenchyma and stroma and are combined with stabilization of the 11-HCS level in blood and phasic effacement of general adaptogenic syndrome. The adaptogenic effect of the preparation at the organism level is observed with an accompanying increase in the adrenal cortex resistance to the influence of extreme factors.

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1991

Innervation of the zona fasciculata of the adult human adrenal cortex: a light and electron microscopic study.

Autonomic innervation of the adrenal cortex has been demonstrated in several species. Detailed ultrastructural studies on the innervation of the zona fasciculata of the normal human adrenal cortex are lacking. We report herein our observations on the pattern of innervation of the cells of the zona fasciculata of the normal adult human cortex at both the light and electron microscope levels. Postganglionic unmyelinated fibers were observed to descend from a dense capsular meshwork and to be distributed as delicate branches among the columns of endocrine cells. Immunoperoxidase staining confirmed the presence of nerve fibers in the zona fasciculata in a distribution similar to that observed after staining with silver impregnation methods. Ultrastructural findings lent further support to these observations by the demonstration of bundles of unmyelinated fibers with focal enlargements containing terminal boutons with both clear and dense core vesicles in close approximation with the endocrine cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Functional state of the adrenal cortex in experimental animals administered leyorin and its sodium salt perorally].

The effect of oral levorin and its sodium salt on the function of the adrenal cortex was studied experimentally on albino rats. The functional activity of the adrenal cortex was tested by the content of corticosterone in the peripheral blood determined fluorometrically. The results showed that levorin in a dose of 300 000 Unit/kg and its sodium salt in doses of 300 000 and 1 200 000 Units/kg used orally induced at definite periods of their administration a decrease in the corticosterone blood levels. At the same time a decrease in the weight coefficients of the thymus and prostate was observed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1979

Low density lipoprotein receptors in bovine adrenal cortex. II. Low density lipoprotein binding to membranes prepared from fresh tissue.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL)-binding activity was measured in whole homogenates and membranes prepared from fresh bovine adrenal cortex by an ultracentrifugation assay. The binding site for 125I-labeled LDL in isolated membranes shared the properties of the LDL receptor previously demonstrated in intact monolayers of cultured bovine adrenocortical cells. The amount of high affinity [125I]iodo-LDL-binding activity in the adrenal cortex was 6- to 12-fold higher than in the medulla of the same glands. Large amounts of high affinity [125I]iodo-LDL-binding activity were also present in the ovarian corpus luteum but not in the ovarian interstitium. Lesser amounts of high affinity binding activity were observed in 14 other bovine tissues. These results lend support to the concept that cells in the bovine adrenal cortex can obtain cholesterol for steroid hormone synthesis through the receptor-mediated uptake of plasma LDL.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1980

[The inhibitory effect of tolbutamide on both secretions of cortisol in the adrenal cortex and of prolactin in the pituitary gland (author's transl)].

It has been frequently postulated that insulin-induced hypoglycemia is widely employed clinically to assess the function of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis, being known to stimulate several pituitary trophic hormones such as HGH, ACTH, PRL (Prolactin), etc. Although tolbutamide produces hypoglycemia through the increase of endogenous insulin secretion, in the present study tolbutamide was used instead of insulin, and the effect of tolbutamide on the secretion of PRL from the pituitary gland and also on the secretion of cortisol from the adrenal cortex as well as HGH was studied, using 44 healthy normal subjects (male 35 and female 9, from 15 approximately 75 years of age). (1) PRL : One gram of tolbutamide injected into 5 normal subjects did not increase the serum concentration of PRL up to 120 minutes after the administration of the drug, while the concentration of PRL in the serum was increased clearly by the injection of insulin (0.1U/kg), with maximum PRL levels (approximately 50pg/ml) occurring at 60 minutes after the insulin administration. These results indicated strongly that tolbutamide inhibited the secretion of PRL from the pituitary gland. (2) Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal cortex : The same dose of tolbutamide as in the PRL experiment was also injected intravenously, and changes of serum cortisol levels were measured until 180 minutes after the injection of tolbutamide. It was found that levels of serum cortisol were clearly depressed within 30 minutes, and then the cortisol values started to increase up to 120 minutes after the administration of tolbutamide. The stimulatory effect of ACTH on the secretion of cortisol from the adrenal cortex was also strongly abolished by tolbutamide in the early phase as stated above. The data suggest that tolbutamide might have a direct inhibitory effect on the adrenal cortex as well as on pituitary PRL secretion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Effects of acute administration of ethanol on the rat adrenal cortex.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single dose of ethanol on rat adrenal cortex and to determine whether the estrous cycle can influence this effect of ethanol. METHOD: Adult female Wistar rats showing proestrus or diestrus Day 1 (n = 12) were treated intraperitoneally with ethanol (4 g/kg body weight). Untreated (n = 15) and saline-injected (n = 14) rats were used as controls. The animals were sacrificed by decapitation 0.5 hour after ethanol administration. Stereological analysis was performed on paraffin sections of adrenal glands stained with AZAN, and the following parameters were determined: absolute volume of the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis, numerical density, volume and the mean diameter of adrenocortical cells and of their nuclei, and diameter and length of capillaries. RESULTS: The diameter and volume of adrenocortical cells in the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis were significantly increased by acute ethanol treatment at proestrus. In the same group of animals, a single dose of ethanol induced significant decrease in numerical density of adrenocortical cells and of their nuclei in all three zones. Increased length of capillaries of the zona fasciculata as well as enhanced level of serum corticosterone was found in ethanol-treated rats at both phases of the estrous cycle, proestrus and diestrus Day 1. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results indicate that a single dose of ethanol activates adrenal cortex in female rats and that the effect is more pronounced on morphometric parameters at proestrus.

Adrenal Cortex↗