CONTRIBUTION TO THE EXISTENCE OF REGULATORY MECHANISMS AT THE ADRENAL LEVEL

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rat adrenal glands atrophied by the administration of cortisol acetate in vivo were used as a model for the study of early metabolic processes occurring in vitro. Atrophied adrenals incubated in the presence of 14C-leucine incorporated subnormal quantities of this amino acid per mg of protein for the first 120 min. When the incubation lasted for a total period of 180 or 240 min a supranormal rise in the 14C-leucine incorporation was observed. Similar changes occurred with some delay with regard to corticosterone production as expressed per 100 mg of tissue. No differences in 14C-leucine incorporation were observed between the control and atrophied adrenals in vivo. Homogenates from atrophied glands incorporated 14C-leucine to a greater extent than the control homogenates. The in vitro incorporation of 14C-orotic acid into the RNA was also higher in atrophied adrenals. The in vitro use of actinomycin D, cycloheximide and amphenone indicated that corticosterone production depended on the incorporation of 14C-leucine. The addition of cortisol to the incubation media markedly decreased the enhancement of 14C-lysine incorporation into the protein of atrophied adrenals. These, as well as additional results suggest rebound phenomena: once atrophic adrenals are transferred to cortisol-free media, reparative processes begin after a delay period. Such phenomena seem to be mediated by regulatory mechanisms at the adrenal level.