Isolated guinea-pig adrenal cells: Effects of physiological concentrations of ACTH, angiotensin II and potassium chloride

Abstract

The effects of physiological concentrations of ACTH, angiotensin II (A II) and potassium chloride (KC1) on dispersed guinea-pig adrenal cells obtained by tryptic digestion have been investigated. ACTH was fully effective on glucocorticoid output at a concentration of 0.85 × 10 −12 M whereas some production was also observed with 2.4 × 10 −6 M A II and 10 mM KC1. With regard to aldosterone output, the minimum ACTH and A II doses required were 0.85 × 10 −11 M and 2.4 × 10 −12 M, respectively. The addition of 0.3 mM KC1 was sufficient to alter the aldosterone level significantly. The maximal steroid response was obtained with either 0.85 × 10 −8 M ACTH or 10.6 mM KC1 while high doses of A II were comparatively less effective.