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PubMed1982

Sex dimorphism of the adrenal cortex in rats after treatment with dexamethasone.

Sex dimorphism of adrenal cortex of the rat was studied by light and electron microscopy as well as the karyometric, gravimetric, and histometric methods after treatment with dexamethasone (2.0 mg/kg over a period of 4 days). Sex dimorphism cannot be shown in dexamethasone-induced atrophy of adrenal glands. Male fasciculata cells have more and finer distributed liposomes resembling in this way female fasciculata cells. Normally present differences in adrenal weight and nuclear size of fasciculata cells between both sexes disappear; nevertheless, female fasciculata cells remain relatively bigger compared to the corresponding male cells. Annulment of sex dimorphism is thought to be the result of altered functional activity of the zona fasciculata due to failing pituitary stimulation. Higher secretion activity of female fasciculata cells probably ceases after dexamethasone treatment.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1986

The X zone of the mouse adrenal cortex of the Swiss albino strain.

The adrenal gland of the Swiss albino strain was investigated with particular reference to the X zone. The degeneration of the X zone in the male occurred concomitant with puberty. The unmated female possessed an X zone which gradually degenerated with age. First pregnancy gave a rapid disappearance of the zone. Gonadectomy preserved the X zone in both sexes, to decline with age. Hypophysectomy produced the classical sequelae, but injecting equine luteinizing hormone preserved the X zone. The X zone and its homologous/analogous representatives in various eutherian species differ from the pattern given in a common laboratory mouse. The difficulties are discussed.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1985

The adrenal cortex and virilization.

The physiological control of adrenal androgen secretion has not been definitively established. However, there is evidence to suggest that a dexamethasone-suppressible factor other than ACTH may have a specific role to play. The majority of patients with idiopathic hirsutism (hirsutism associated with regular menstruation) have findings suggestive of adrenal androgen excess, including enhanced androgen responsiveness following administration of metyrapone, and respond to treatment with dexamethasone, 0.5 mg given each night. Patients with idiopathic hirsutism have elevated androgens but normal oestrogen and gonadotrophin levels. In contrast, while patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also demonstrate evidence of adrenal androgen excess, these patients have elevated oestrone levels and gonadotrophin secretion is abnormal. Approximately 50% of patients with PCOS treated with dexamethasone resume regular menstruation. Oestrone excess appears to be primary to the abnormal gonadotrophin secretion and to the development of PCOS. In non-obese patients with PCOS elevated oestrone appears to occur as a consequence of the availability of the excessive amounts of its immediate precursor, androstenedione, an androgen mainly of adrenal origin. Androstenedione is converted to oestrone in fat. Obese amenorrhoeic subjects have normal androstenedione values but elevated oestrone levels with abnormal gonadotrophin secretion as seen in PCOS. These findings indicate that abnormal gonadotrophin secretion is associated with elevated oestrone levels whether these occur as a consequence of excessive adrenal androgen secretion, or the excessive conversion of normal amounts of available androstenedione. Patients with idiopathic hirsutism and elevated androstenedione levels but normal oestrone values appeared to be protected against the development of PCOS by relatively poor conversion of androstenedione to oestrone. It is likely, therefore, that if patients with idiopathic hirsutism gain additional adipose tissue, elevated oestrone levels will result and PCOS will develop. These observations explain the frequent association of PCOS and obesity. There is a close clinical association between elevated androgen levels and hirsutism and between elevated oestrone levels and menstrual disturbances. However, some patients with amenorrhoea but without hirsutism may demonstrate marked elevations of androgens and oestrone, the correction of which leads to the resumption of regular ovulation. This presentation, 'amenorrhoea with cryptic hyperandrogenaemia', is probably explained by diminished sensitivity of androgen receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1991

Adrenergic and cholinergic regulation of cortisol secretion from the zona fasciculata/reticularis of bovine adrenal cortex.

Inner zone cells, isolated from bovine adrenal cortex, secrete cortisol in response to both adrenergic and cholinergic agonists. The response to adrenaline (and other catecholamines) appears during culture, is evident by 24 h and reaches a maximum by 48-72 h, but is absent in freshly isolated cells. Pre-incubation of cultured cells with adrenaline leads to homologous desensitisation; the possibility that this may explain the absent response in freshly isolated cells is discussed. Cells show a dose-dependent cyclic AMP response but no increased membrane phosphoinositide turnover. In agreement, cortisol secretion is blocked by beta-receptor, but not alpha-receptor, antagonists. Schild analysis established that the response occurs through binding to a beta 1-receptor subtype, consistent with adrenergic innervation as opposed to an effect of circulating catecholamines. In contrast, cortisol secretion to AcCh was present in both freshly isolated cells and those in culture, reaching a maximum by 48-72 h in culture. The response was specifically blocked by muscarinic, but not nicotinic, antagonists. No effect on cyclic AMP formation was observed, but dose-dependent stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover occurred. HPLC analysis of the time-course of appearance of 3H-inositol labelled head groups (from cells pre-labelled with 3H-inositol) confirmed that AcCh activates a phosphoinositidase C. Intracellular Ca2+ oscillations were also measured from fura-2 loaded single cells in response to AcCh. Together with other pharmacological studies, these observations establish that AcCh acts through a M3 muscarinic receptor subtype in these cells. The possible significance of these findings in vivo is discussed.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2001

Effect of pentagastrin on steroid secretion and proliferative activity of regenerating rat adrenal cortex.

The effects of three subcutaneous injections of 3 nmol/100 g body weight of the cholecystokinin type 2 (CCK2) receptor agonist pentagastrin on adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone secretion and proliferative activity of regenerating rat adrenal cortex were investigated. Pentagastrin did not alter either ACTH and corticosterone plasma concentrations or the adrenal mitotic index at day 5 of regeneration. In contrast, it increased (by about 50%) the adrenal mitotic index at day 8 of regeneration, and the effect was blocked by the simultaneous administration of equimolar doses of the CCK2-receptor antagonist PD-135,158. It is suggested that the activation of CCK2 receptors exerts a growth promoting action on the regenerating rat adrenal cortex.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1997

Localization of CYP2D16 in the guinea pig adrenal cortex by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Recent reports indicate that the cytochrome P450 isozyme, CYP2D16, is expressed at high levels in the inner regions of the guinea pig adrenal cortex and may contribute to xenobiotic and/or steroid metabolism in the gland. In the present studies, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques were employed to definitively establish the localization of CYP2D16 within the adrenal cortex. In male guinea pigs of various ages, CYP2D16 protein and mRNA were highly localized to the zona reticularis (ZR); none was detectable in the zona fasciculata (ZF), zona glomerulosa (ZG) or the medulla. In contrast, the steroidogenic P450 isozyme, CYP17, was distributed throughout the ZF and ZR. From the earliest stages of development of the ZR, CYP2D16 staining was intense. As guinea pigs aged, the ZR progressively enlarged and comprised a proportionately greater amount of the cortex. At all ages, CYP2D16 was uniformly distributed throughout only the ZR. Coinciding with the age-related growth of the ZR and increase in adrenal CYP2D16 content was an increase in adrenal xenobiotic-metabolizing activity. The results establish that CYP2D16 has an intraadrenal localization that is unique among P450 isozymes, suggesting novel regulatory mechanisms and indicating that CYP2D16 may serve as a specific marker for ZR cells. The increase in CYP2D16 expression with age probably accounts for increasing levels of xenobiotic metabolism and may also contribute to an increase in intraadrenal cortisol degradation in older animals.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1991

Role of the vasoactive intestinal peptide in a neuroendocrine regulation of the adrenal cortex.

Using a method for isolation and perfusion of pig adrenal glands with preserved nerve supply, we measured the release of cortisol and aldosterone and of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) after electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerves. Additionally, the effect of VIP (at final concentrations of 10(-10)-10(-7) M) in the perfusion medium on the release of cortisol and aldosterone was investigated. The amount of VIP contained within the adrenal was measured by chromatography, and the localization of VIP in the adrenal gland was investigated immunohistochemically. Stimulation of the splanchnic nerves provoked a significant release of VIP (2.7- to 17-fold) and of the corticosteroids cortisol (2.5- to 6.7-fold) and aldosterone (1.6- to 2.8-fold). VIP added to the perfusion medium stimulated secretion of both corticosteroids with a maximal effect at 10(-8) M. Cortisol release increased 20- to 58.5-fold over basal, aldosterone release increased 2.9- to 4.9-fold over basal. This VIP-stimulated release had the same range of magnitude as the release stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone in physiological concentrations (10(-10) M). The mean concentration of VIP-like immunoreactivity in the adrenal glands was 8.9 +/- 2.1 pmol/g wet weight. Immunohistochemical investigations showed immunoreactive cells within the adrenal medulla as well as VIP-ergic nerve fibers in the cortex of the adrenal gland. These data show that the adrenal cortex can be stimulated independent of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis via a neuroadrenocortical axis. In this regulatory pathway, the VIP-ergic innervation of the adrenal cortex may be a potent stimulatory element.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1979

Non-functioning carcinoma of the adrenal cortex.

A case of non-functioning carcinoma of the adrenal cortex is reported. This type of neoplasm is rarely seen; up to 1974 only 173 similar cases had been reported. The patient has survived for nine months following diagnosis and operation.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗
PubMed1981

Morphological correlates of hormone secretion in the rat adrenal cortex and the role of filopodia.

Rat adrenals in different states of stimulation were examined by transmission electron microscopy following perfusion fixation using an in situ isolated-circulation technique. In unstimulated glands, intracortical capillaries were constricted and the cells of the cortex were pressed closely together with little development of filopodia or intercellular spaces. Glands fixed during the period of operative stress, or following a 1 hr perfusion with Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) showed that the radially orientated capillaries of the cortex were massively expanded, and the cells of both the glomerulosa and fasciculata exhibited an extensive development of filopodia on their surfaces. These filopodia extended into large intercellular spaces, where they often entered into complex relationships with filopodia from neighboring cells. The development of filopodia by cells of the adrenal cortex was also observed using scanning electron microscope techniques. In cells either incubated with ACTH in vitro or isolated from adrenals of rats treated with ACTH in vivo, the filopodia were numerous, often branched, and could reach as much as 1 micro m in length. In contrast, adrenal cells obtained from animals pretreated with cortisol were smooth surfaced. Other cell characteristics, including mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, dense granules, and coated vesicles did not show such dramatic correlations with the state of stimulation. It is considered that the development of filopodia and intercellular space is related to secretory mechanisms in the rat adrenal cortex.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1976

[Role of different regions of the hypothalamus in regulating the hypophyseal-adrenal cortex system in rats].

The effect of electrical stimulation of various structures of the medial hypothalamus on the corticosterone level in the peripheral blood was studied in rats with preliminarily destroyed individual areas of the hypothalamus. Injury of various structures of the medial hypothalamus led the first days after the operation to reduction of the response to the stimulation. Two-three weeks after destruction of the anterior and the middle portions of the hypothalamus reactivity of the hypophyseo-adrenocortical system was restored, although not always completely. Only in destruction of the premamillary nuclei there was no restoration of the reaction. A conclusion was drawn that the area of the posterior hypothalamus was of great necessity for functional regulation of the hypophysis-adrenal cortex system.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1975

Primary and adjunctive therapy in carcinoma of the adrenal cortex.

The absence of a clinically useful staging system for carcinoma of the adrenal cortex has permitted undue pessimism to develop and prevented effective evaluation of postoperative adjunctive therapy. The records of 15 patients undergoing operation for carcinoma of the adrenal gland were studied, and a staging system is proposed. The correlation between the proposed clinical stages and a patient's survival time was highly significant. An aggressive surgical approach toward both the primary tumor and the isolated metastatic lesion appears warranted. In those patients with functioning tumors, determination of urinary steroid levels provides early evidence of recurrence.

Adolescent↗