Adrenal Enucleation Research Articles

Ghrelin and obestatin inhibit enucleation-induced adrenocortical proliferation in the rat

Studies involving the role of ghrelin (GHREL) in regulating the proliferative activity of various cell types have obtained variable results depending primarily on the experimental model applied. It was recently reported that neither GHREL nor obestatin (OBS) affected the proliferative activity of cultured rat adrenocortical cells. In view of the conflicting results, we investigated the effects of GHREL and OBS on the proliferative activity of rat adrenocortical cells in a model of bilateral enucleation-induced adrenocortical regeneration in the rat. Rats were sacrificed 5 or 8 days after surgery. Twenty-four hours before being sacrificed, the appropriate groups were infused with 3 nmol GHREL or OBS/100 g. The mitotic index was assessed using the stachmokinetic method with vincristine. In comparison with intact rats, expression levels of ppGHREL, BAX, JUN-B and JUN-C genes were notably higher in regenerating adrenals, and neither GHREL nor OBS infusion affected these levels. Expression levels of the GHS-R, GPR39v2 and FOS genes were affected neither by adrenal enucleation nor GHREL or OBS infusion. Expression of only two studied genes, GPR39v1 and EGR1, was regulated by OBS. In the regenerating adrenal glands, GPR39v1 and EGR1 mRNA levels were higher than the levels in intact animals. GHREL infusion had no effect while OBS infusion notably stimulated GPR39v1 mRNA levels in the regenerating adrenal gland and evoked an opposite effect on EGR1 mRNA. OBS administration resulted in a potent decrease in the mitotic index of the studied cells, an effect found at both days 5 and 8 of the experiment. GHREL exerted a similar effect only at day 5 of adrenocortical regeneration. Neither GHREL nor OBS had an effect on blood aldosterone concentrations. GHREL infusion lowered plasma corticosterone concentration at day 5 but not 8 of the experiment, while OBS administration was ineffective. Thus, this study is the first to demonstrate that, in vivo, both GHREL and OBS inhibit the growth of the regenerating adrenal cortex. Moreover, the data suggest that the effect of OBS might be, at least in part, mediated by the EGR1 pathway known to be critical in cell proliferation.

Expression of the spexin gene in the rat adrenal gland and evidences suggesting that spexin inhibits adrenocortical cell proliferation

Spexin (SPX, also called NPQ) is a recently identified, highly conserved peptide which is processed and secreted. We analysed the SPX gene and its protein product in the rat adrenal gland to ascertain whether SPX is involved in the regulation of corticosteroid secretion of and growth of adrenocortical cells. In adult rat adrenal glands the highest levels of SPX mRNA were present in the glomerulosa (ZG) and fasciculate/reticularis (ZF/R) zones. High SPX gene expression levels were found in freshly isolated adult rat ZG and ZF/R cells. In cultured adrenocortical cells the levels of SPX mRNA were lower than in freshly isolated cells. SPX mRNA expression levels were found to be 2–3 times higher during days 90–540 of postnatal development than found during days 2–45. Prolonged ACTH administration lowered and dexamethasone increased adrenal SPX mRNA levels in vivo. Adrenal enucleation produced a significant linear increase in SPX mRNA levels, with the highest value occurring at day 8 after surgery, with control values taken on day 30 after enucleation. Immunohistochemistry revealed SPX-like immunoreactivity in the entire cortex of the adult male rat and in enucleation-induced regenerating cortex. A concentration of 10–6 M SPX peptide stimulated basal aldosterone secretion by freshly isolated ZG. In prolonged exposure of adrenocortical cell primary cultures to SPX (10–6 M) resulted in a small increase in corticosterone secretion and a notable decrease in BrdU incorporation. The results suggest the direct involvement of SPX in the regulation of adrenocortical cell proliferation; however, the mechanism of action remains unknown.

Effect of interleukin-1a, IL-1b and IL-1 receptor antibody on the proliferation and steroidogenesis of regenerating rat adrenal cortex.

Several data suggest that the endocrine and immune systems are closely interconnected, therefore, we investigated the effect of interleukin-1 on adrenocortical regeneration. The study was performed on adult rats subjected to left adrenal enucleation combined with contralateral adrenalectomy. The animals were given purified human recombinant IL-1 alpha (5 micrograms/kg), IL-1 beta (5 micrograms/kg) anti-human IL-1 receptor antibody (10 micrograms/kg) and combination of interleukins and antibodies. The cell proliferation measured by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and plasma corticosterone determined by a RIA kit were evaluated six days after operation. The mean cell growth ratio expressed as number of BrdU-positive cells per 1,000 cells was 11.86 +/- 0.45 in the control group. IL-1b significantly stimulated the proliferation ratio (15.30 +/- 0.88; p < 0.01) and this effect could be prevented by addition of IL-1rAb. The antibody caused also a well-marked inhibition of cell growth ratio (8.23 +/- 0.67; p < 0.01). The plasma corticosterone concentration was higher in IL-1b-treated animals than in the control group, 107.79 +/- 2.82 vs. 61.08 +/- 2.0 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.01. On the other hand, IL-1rAb decreased corticosterone secretion (31.53 +/- 2.58 ng/ml, p < 0.01) and reversed the stimulatory effect of of IL-1b. In contrast, IL-1a seemed to have no influence on adrenocortical regeneration. In conclusion, this study supported the thesis of close interconnection between immune and endocrine systems and revealed that IL-1b could act as a growth-promoting factor on regenerating adrenal cortex in the rat.

Effects of some endocrine disruptors on the secretory and proliferative activity of the regenerating rat adrenal cortex

The effects of some endocrine disruptors that possess estrogen-like activity on the secretion and growth of regenerating rat adrenal cortex have been investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) and sham-OVX rats. As reference groups, dexamethasone (Dx)-administered sham-OVX and 17beta-estradiol-administered OVX animals were used. Dx, estradiol and endocrine disruptors were subcutaneously injected daily at a dose of 3 nmoles/100 g for 10 consecutive days after surgery, and adrenal enucleation was performed on day 5 of the experiment. Dx and genistein significantly decreased corticosterone plasma concentration (as measured by RIA) in sham-OVX rats with regenerating adrenals, while other disruptors (eusolex, procymidone, linurone, resveratrol, bisphenol-A and and silymarin) were ineffective. Mitotic index (as assayed by the stachmokinetic method with vincristine) was not changed by either Dx or disruptors. Estradiol significantly increased and genistein significantly lowered corticosterone blood level in OVX rats; similar effects were induced in the mitotic index of regenerating adrenals, but the changes were not significant. Eusolex increased the mitotic index, without altering the level of circulating corticosterone. Collectively, our findings allow us to conclude that, of the endocrine disruptors tested, only genistein is able to suppress the secretory activity of regenerating adrenal cortex, this Dx-like effect being apparently unrelated to its estrogen-like activity, and only eusolex enhances the proliferation rate of regenerating adrenal, the effect being conceivably connected with its estrogen-like activity.

Impact of transient correction of increased adrenocortical activity in hypothalamo-damaged, hyperadipose female rats

To explore the effects of transient correction of enhanced corticoadrenal activity in monosodium L-glutamate (MSG)-damaged female rats on peripheral insulin sensitivity and in vitro retroperitoneal (RP) adipocyte function. A dose of 4 mg/g body weight (BW) of MSG or vehicle (CTR) was i.p. injected, once every 2 days, between days 2 and 10 of age, in female rats. Intact and 21 day-operated (sham or adrenal enucleation (AE)) rats from both (CTR and MSG) groups were used for experimentation on day 120 of age. Circulating levels of several hormones, in basal and after i.v. high-glucose load conditions, and RP adiposity morphology and function were then evaluated. MSG rats developed increased adrenocortical function, hyperadiposity, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia and decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity. These characteristics were fully reversed after transient correction of corticoadrenal hyperactivity induced by AE. In addition, in vitro experimentation with isolated RP adipocytes indicated that cells from intact MSG animals displayed decreased sensitivity to insulin and dexamethasone stimulation of leptin secretion. Interestingly, adipocyte dysfunction in MSG rats was fully abrogated after AE-induced transient correction of insulinemia, leptinemia and adrenocortical activity. Importantly, the reversion of these metabolic abnormalities, induced by AE for 21 days, in MSG animals did occur, despite no significant changes in BW values. Our results support that the changes in adipocyte characteristics and peripheral insulin resistance, developed in this pseudo-obese female rat model, are mainly due to increased glucocorticoid production. Importantly, appropriate correction of the enhanced adrenocortical activity fully reversed these abnormal functions.

Zone-specific cell proliferation during adrenocortical regeneration after enucleation in rats

A quantitative analysis of zone-specific proliferation was done to determine the recovery of adrenal cortical zonation during regeneration after enucleation. Adult male rats underwent adrenal enucleation [unilateral enucleation (ULE)] or sham surgery, both accompanied by contralateral adrenalectomy. At 2, 5, 10, and 28 days, blood and adrenals were collected to assess functional recovery. Adrenal sections were immunostained for Ki67 (proliferation), cytochrome P-450 aldosterone synthase (P-450aldo, glomerulosa), and cytochrome P-450 11beta-hydroxylase (P-45011beta, fasciculata). Unbiased stereology was used to count proliferating glomerulosa and fasciculata cells. Recovery of fasciculata secretory function occurred by 28 days as reflected by plasma ACTH and corticosterone, whereas glomerulosa function reflected by plasma aldosterone remained low at 28 days. At 5 days, ULE adrenals showed increased Ki67+ cells in the glomerulosa and inner fasciculata, whereas at 10 and 28 days increased proliferation was restricted to the outer fasciculata. These data show that enucleation results in transient elevations in glomerulosa and inner fasciculata cell proliferation followed by a delayed increase in the outer fasciculata. To assess adrenal growth in enucleated adrenals previously suppressed by the presence of an intact adrenal, rats underwent ULE and sham surgery; after 4 wk, the intact adrenal was removed and enucleated adrenals were collected at 2, 5, and 10 days. Overall, proliferation was delayed in this model, but at 5 days, Ki67+ cells increased in the outer fasciculata, whereas by 10 days, increased proliferation occurred in the outer and inner fasciculata. The key novel finding of increased proliferation in the inner fasciculata suggests that the delayed growth of the enucleated adrenal results in part from a regenerative response.

Sexual dimorphism in the effect of nonhabituating stress on neurogenic plasma extravasation

The sympathoadrenal axis contributes to the sexual dimorphism of the inflammatory response. As stress both activates the sympathoadrenal axis and profoundly affects inflammation and inflammatory disease, we evaluated whether stress exerts a sexually dimorphic effect on a major component of the inflammatory response, plasma extravasation. We evaluated the effect of a nonhabituating stress, repeated intermittent sound (30 min/day for 4 days), on neurogenic synovial plasma extravasation, induced by bradykinin in the rat knee joint. Sound stress profoundly inhibited bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation in male rats, but profoundly enhanced it in female rats. These effects took 24 h to fully develop after the last exposure to stress. In gonadectomized males, bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation was lower than intact males, and sound stress now enhanced it, i.e. gonadectomized males were phenotypically like intact females. In gonadectomized females, bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation was greater than in intact adult females, and sound stress still enhanced it. Adrenal enucleation significantly attenuated the effect of sound stress on bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation in both male and female rats. We tested the hypothesis that these effects of sound stress were due to sustained enhanced plasma levels of stress hormones. Corticosterone and epinephrine, only when administered in combination, over five days, produced a qualitatively similar effect as sound stress, i.e. bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation was significantly decreased in males and increased in females. These findings suggest that a combined effect of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal and sympathoadrenal stress axes are responsible for the marked sexual dimorphism in the effect of stress on the inflammatory response.

Adrenal Enucleation in MSG-Damaged Hyperleptinemic Male Rats Transiently Restores Adrenal Sensitivity to Leptin

It is known that the neonatal treatment of rats with monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) induces several metabolic abnormalities, resulting in enhanced adiposity and hyperleptinemia. Our study was designed to explore the consequences of MSG-induced chronic hyperleptinemia on adrenal sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of exogenous leptin. Neonatal male rats treated with MSG or vehicle (controls, CTR) were followed during 150 days in order to study changes observed over development in body weight, food consumption as well as in vivo hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and adipocyte functions. During adulthood, adrenal response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo in order to determine the adrenal sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of leptin. For this purpose, sham-operated as well as CTR and MSG rats with bilateral adrenal enucleation (AE) were used. Our results indicate that: (1) between 30 and 150 days of age, MSG animals developed hypophagia, accompanied by arrest in body weight gain, and concomitant enhanced basal levels of all HPA axis components and of leptin; (2) adrenals from of 150-day- old MSG rats displayed an in vitro adrenocortical hyperresponse to ACTH stimulation as well as an adrenal refractoriness to the physiological inhibitory effect of leptin on ACTH-stimulated glucocorticoid output, and (3) bilateral AE in adult MSG-treated rats transiently reversed the MSG-induced hyperleptinemia, restoring normal leptin levels as well as a normal adrenal sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of leptin. Our data indicate that adrenal exposure to the chronically high plasma leptin levels observed in MSG rats is involved in the loss of the inhibitory regulatory effect of leptin at the adrenal level, being therefore, at least in part, responsible for the increased total and free glucocorticoid production measured in MSG adult rats. Furthermore, this study strongly suggests that the adrenal overfunction, frequently associated with different phenotypes of obesity, could be due to an adrenal resistance to the leptin-negative regulation.

Capsaicin-sensitive nerve fibers: a potential extra-ACTH mechanism participating in adrenal regeneration in rats.

Pituitary-derived factors, including ACTH, have been widely implicated in initiating adrenal regeneration. However, recent work has demonstrated that adrenal regeneration is also modulated by adrenal nerves that extensively reinnervate the regenerating adrenal. Moreover, transection of the splanchnic nerve removes sensory calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and preganglionic sympathetic vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)-positive fibers from the regenerating gland and delays regeneration. However, it is not known whether the splanchnic nerve effects on adrenal regeneration are mediated by the CGRP-positive or VAChT-positive innervation. The present studies use the drug capsaicin, a neurotoxin selective for a subset of primary afferent neurons, to specifically remove CGRP-positive fibers from the adrenal gland and assess subsequent effects on the recovery of adrenal mass and function after surgical enucleation. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and treated with capsaicin (vs. vehicle) periaxonally to the thoracic splanchnic nerve (33 mM, 15 minutes) or systemically (30-100 mg/kg for 4 days, s.c.). After 7-12 days of recovery, rats received right adrenalectomy and left adrenal enucleation. At 14 and 21 days postenucleation, prestress and poststress plasma and adrenals glands were collected; adrenals were weighed and fixed for immunolabeling of CGRP-positive nerve fibers. Periaxonal capsaicin treatment decreased adrenal CGRP content prior to surgical enucleation; however, reinnervation by CGRP-positive fibers was not prevented and regeneration was not affected. Systemic capsaicin treatment attenuated the reinnervation by CGRP-positive fibers and increased the rate, but not extent, of adrenal regeneration. These results support the hypothesis that adrenal innervation represents an extra-ACTH mechanism to modulate the rate of adrenal regeneration.

Effects of adrenalectomy and adrenal enucleation on liquid gastric emptying in rats.

The effects of adrenalectomy and adrenal enucleation on liquid gastric emptying were studied in male Wistar rats that were adrenalectomized, adrenal enucleated (AE) or sham operated (SH). The animals in the first group had free access to a 1% NaCl solution (ADS), while the animals in the second and third groups were divided into two subgroups, which ingested either tap water (AEW, SHW) or 1% NaCl solution (AES, SHS). The gastric emptying study was performed on the 16th post-operative day. Three test meals labeled with phenol red (6 mg/dl) were used (0.9% NaCl, 1.8% NaCl and 5% glucose). Percent gastric retention was determined 10 min after orogastric infusion of the NaCl test meals and 15 min after the glucose meal. Gastric retention of the ADS subgroup was significantly lower (P<0. 01) (median = 19.8% vs 25.5% for SHW, vs 31.9% for SHS, vs 25.7% for AEW, and vs 27.1% for AES) for the 0.9% NaCl test meal and for the 1. 8% NaCl test meal (33.5% for ADS vs 47.5% for AEW and 50.6% for AES). When 5% glucose was used as a test meal, gastric retention was similar for all subgroups. These results suggest that ablation of the adrenal cortex results in increased gastric emptying of an isosmolar NaCl meal.

Hyperinnervation during Adrenal Regeneration Influences the Rate of Functional Recovery

The rat adrenal cortex has the uncommon ability to demonstrate morphological and functional regeneration after injury-induced loss of cortical tissue. Peripheral nerves are involved in tissue regeneration and healing after injury, implying that nerves may also be involved in modulating the regeneration of the adrenal cortex. Studies were initiated to assess changes in adrenal innervation during cortical tissue regeneration subsequent to adrenal enucleation. Innervation of regenerating adrenals was assessed from 3 to 62 days postenucleation by immunohistofluorescent detection of neuronal markers for primary afferent, preganglionic sympathetic, and postganglionic sympathetic fibers. The regenerating adrenal contained few nerves at 3 days postenucleation, but became differentially innervated, with extensive innervation by nerve fibers positive for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). In contrast, there was only minimal innervation by nerve fibers positive for vasoactive intestinal peptide. By 14 days postenucleation, the CGRP-, TH-, and NPY-positive innervation included areas of hyperinnervation in the capsule, cortex, and central inflammatory site of the regenerating gland. In addition, many chromaffin cells were present at all time points postenucleation. Quantification of the regenerating gland content of CGRP, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and nNOS verified the immunohistofluorescent observations. The period of extensive innervation correlated temporally with the time (3–30 days) during which the regenerating glands recovered steroidogenic function. Moreover, splanchnic nerve transection at the time of adrenal enucleation decreased the innervation by CGRP-positive and vesicular acetylcholine transporter-positive fibers and delayed regeneration. These results support the hypothesis that adrenal innervation modulates tissue regeneration and functional recovery of the enucleated adrenal gland.

Changes in the glomerulosa cell phenotype during adrenal regeneration in rats.

In situ hybridization was used to examine cellular differentiation during rat adrenal regeneration, defining zona glomerulosa [cytochrome P-450 aldosterone synthase (P-450aldo) mRNA positive], zona fasciculata [cytochrome P-450 11beta-hydroxylase (P-45011beta) mRNA positive], or zona intermedia [negative for both but 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) mRNA positive]. After unilateral adrenal enucleation with contralateral adrenalectomy (ULE/ULA), the expression of all mRNA was reduced at 2 days. From 5 to 10 days, P-45011beta and 3beta-HSD mRNA increased while P-450aldo remained low; at 20 days, all mRNA were increased. From 2 to 10 days, cells adjacent to the capsule showed intermedia cell differentiation; by 20 days, the subcapsular glomerulosa cells reappeared. This suggests that after enucleation the glomerulosa dedifferentiates to zona intermedia. The experiment was repeated in rats where the postenucleation ACTH rise was prevented. Rats underwent ULE with sham ULA (ULE/SULA) or ULE/SULA with ACTH treatment. Adrenals from ULE/SULA rats expressed increased P-450aldo mRNA at 10 days and reduced P-45011beta mRNA and adrenal weight at 30 days. ACTH treatment reversed the pattern toward that seen in ULE/ULA. These findings show that the enucleation-induced dedifferentitation of the glomerulosa cell may result in part from elevated plasma ACTH and that prevention of dedifferentiation may result in impaired regeneration.

Fine tuning of adrenocortical functions by locally produced growth factors

Adult adrenal cortex is a differentiated endocrine tissue that undergoes permanent regeneration. Proliferation of the progenitor cells is restricted to the outer quarter of the cortex (Zajicek et al. 1986, Mc Nicol & Duffy 1987). After this initial proliferative step, adrenocytes are displaced centripetally, until they reach the junction to the medulla (the whole process takes about 100 days in the rat) (Zajicek et al. 1986). Half of the cells die on the way and the remainder are eliminated by apoptosis in the reticularis zone (Wyllie et al. 1973). During this displacement, adrenocytes acquire three distinct functional and morphological phenotypes characterized by different patterns of steroidogenic enzyme gene expression. Younger cells differentiate into glomerulosa cells, acquiring the capacity to synthesize aldosterone. Further along the way, adrenocytes become fasciculata cells, expressing P450c17 (steroid 17a-hydroxylase) and synthesizing cortisol and/or corticosterone. In the innermost zone, the oldest adrenocytes acquire the reticularis phenotype, characterized in primates by the ability to synthesize adrenal androgens (dehydroepiandrosterone). Subcapsular remnants obtained after adrenal enucleation are able to regenerate differentiated cortical tissue with functional fasciculata and reticularis zones, even when grafted in ectopic locations (Skelton 1959, Belloni et al. 1990). The subcapsular glomerulosa zone thus probably contains what may be considered the adrenocyte stem cells. Two fairly recent reports suggest, however, that this may not be the only location of stem cells. Mitani et al. (1994) identified a layer of cells between the zona glomerulosa and the zona fasciculata that do not express aldosterone synthase and 11â-hydroxylase and proposed that it represents the layer of adrenocyte stem cells. These cells were not isolated and therefore their potential for conversion into differentiated adrenocytes with a glomerulosa or fasciculata phenotype has not been proven. More recently, Thomas et al. (1997) succeeded in reconstituting a fully differentiated and vascularized adrenocortical organoid by transplanting clones of cells derived from a single bovine fasciculata cell, in the renal capsule of scid mice. Some 25% of the clones transplanted were able to successfully form cortisol-secreting tissue, suggesting that some but not all of the fasciculata cells that possess the capacity to form a cell clone in vitro can be considered stem cells. Several experimental approaches over the last few decades have clearly established that the pituitary hormone adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) is the primary regulator of both fetal adrenal development and adult adrenal cortex homoeostasis. Hypophysectomy of adult animals results in a dramatic regression of the adrenocortical tissue caused by a massive deletion of the fasciculata and reticularis zones through apoptosis while the glomerulosa zone remains intact and functional (Nussdorfer & Mazzochi 1972, Carsia et al. 1996). More delicate removal of the sole corticotrope and melanotrope cell populations from the pituitary gland, induced by ganciclovir treatment of transgenic mice expressing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase transgene under the control of the pro-opiomelanocortin promoter, results in a similar regression of the adrenal cortex tissue (Allen et al. 1995). Besides its trophic action, ACTH is also a major regulator of adrenal cortex function, i.e. steroidogenesis. It stimulates the synthesis of cortisol by two distinct mechanisms. ACTH binding to its adenylate cyclase-coupled receptor MC2-R acutely increases steroid biosynthesis by stimulating cholesterol esterase, thereby releasing free cholesterol from stored cholesterol ester pools and making substrate available to the steroidogenic enzymes in the cell (Stocco & Clark 1996). ACTH is also able to chronically increase steroidogenesis by stimulating the transcription of several key cAMP-responsive genes that encode steroidogenic enzymes (Miller 1988, Simpson & Waterman 1988) and of the mitochondrial protein StAR (Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), an essential component of the intramitochondrial cholesterol-transfer machinery (Clark et al. 1995). In vitro studies of the proliferative action of ACTH using adrenocortical cell subpopulations from the glomerulosa or the fasciculata zones have generated controversial results. Some authors report a decrease in cell number and 7

Vagotomy-Induced Enhancement of Mechanical Hyperalgesia in the Rat Is Sympathoadrenal-Mediated

We have recently shown that subdiaphragmatic vagotomy enhances bradykinin-induced hyperalgesic behavior and decreases baseline paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation of the hindpaw skin in rats by a peripheral mechanism. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we studied whether lesions of efferent neuroendocrine pathways could prevent or reverse the potentiating effect of vagotomy. In groups of sham-vagotomized or vagotomized rats, we surgically removed or denervated the adrenal medulla. Bradykinin was injected intradermally into the skin of the dorsal surface of the rat hindpaw. Threshold of paw withdrawal to mechanical stimulation of the skin was measured. Vagotomy induced a decrease in mechanical baseline paw withdrawal threshold and enhancement of bradykinin-induced mechanical hyperalgesic behavior, both of which were maintained over the 5 week testing period. Adrenal enucleation or denervation of the adrenal gland by suprarenal ganglionectomy prevented vagotomy-induced decrease in baseline paw withdrawal threshold and enhancement of bradykinin-induced hyperalgesia. In animals that had a demonstrated decrease in baseline paw withdrawal threshold and enhancement of bradykinin-induced hyperalgesia 2 weeks after vagotomy, additional denervation of the adrenal medulla significantly reversed these effects over a 3 week period. These results imply that both the decrease in baseline paw withdrawal threshold and enhancement of bradykinin-induced hyperalgesic behavior after vagotomy are dependent on a hormonal signal released from the adrenal medulla and suggest a novel mechanism of sensitization of cutaneous nociceptors.

Renal resistance to ANF in salt-depleted rats is independent of sympathetic or ANG-aldosterone systems.

Chronic salt depletion was used as a model to study the mechanism of renal resistance to the natriuretic effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). Rats were pretreated with furosemide and placed on a low-salt diet (<0.008% NaCl) for 1 wk before a clearance experiment. Compared with animals on a normal salt diet (0.4% NaCl), the natriuretic reponse to ANF administration was reduced by one order of magnitude and was quantitatively trivial. To assess the influence of the sympathoadrenergic system, different groups of rats were either subjected to acute unilateral renal denervation, to chronic adrenal enucleation to reduce circulating catecholamines, or to pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine (OHDA) to destroy sympathetic postganglionic nerve endings. None of these treatments was able to fully or even partially restore ANF natriuresis. To determine whether an effect of angiotensin on the kidney prevented the response, the specific receptor antagonist losartan (DuP-753) was administered during the week prior to the experiment. This treatment also did not influence ANF resistance. Similarly, bilateral adrenalectomy 2 wk before the experiment did not affect the renal ANF resistance in salt-depleted rats. The depressed excretory response could not be explained on the basis of reduced renal perfusion pressure or glomerular filtration rate. We conclude that undetermined compensatory mechanism(s) ensures renal salt conservation in this model in the face of even supraphysiological levels of ANF.

Effect of sympathetic and angiotensin-aldosterone systems on renal salt conservation in the rat.

During dietary salt deprivation, the sympathetic nervous system and the angiotensin-aldosterone system are stimulated. Both systems are thought to be essential for maximal salt conservation by the kidney. To study their relative contributions, we produced negative salt balance in rats by intraperitoneal injection of furosemide, followed by a low-salt diet (<0.008% NaCl). In a 1-wk metabolic study, the animals were unable to replace the drug-induced salt deficit. Six groups of rats were studied. A control group established baseline function, a second group of 6-hydroxydopamine (OHDA) rats were treated with OHDA to destroy sympathetic efferent nerve terminals, and a third group (losartan) were treated with the angiotensin-receptor antagonist losartan. The influence of catecholamines and aldosterone released from the adrenal gland was studied in a further three groups. Rats were sham-adrenalectomized (sham), subjected to bilateral adrenal enucleation (Enuc) to eliminate catecholamine secretion, or were bilaterally adrenalectomized (Adx), eliminating both catecholamine and corticosteroid release. Dexamethasone was used as glucocorticoid replacement in this group. Steady-state urinary salt excretion was not different between control and OHDA rats. The losartan group showed significantly increased sodium but not chloride excretion. Surprisingly, there were no differences in salt excretion among sham, Enuc, and Adx groups. We conclude that, during a state of chronic salt depletion, renal mechanism(s) independent of neuronally released or systemically circulating catecholamines or of adrenally released aldosterone can ensure maximal salt conservation by the kidney. Although our data show that losartan increased sodium excretion under these conditions, we suggest that the losartan effect can be explained by a reduction of bicarbonate reabsorption, obligating simultaneous excretion of the cation.

Bilateral adrenal enucleation-induced changes in adenohypophyseal pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-related peptides synthesis and secretion: A comparative study with adrenalectomized rats

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the modulatory effect of transient changes in endogenous glucocorticoids, occurring after bilateral adrenal enucleation (ENUC), on anterior pituitary (AP) proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides synthesis and output in rats. For this purpose, adult female rats were either bilaterally ENUC, adrenalectomized (ADX), or sham-operated (SHAM) and killed by decapitation 2, 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery. Trunk blood was collected for measurements of ACTH, beta-endorphin (beta-END) and corticosterone (B) concentrations; APs were quickly dissected for the determination of ACTH, beta-endorphin (beta-END)-like (beta-END-LI) and gamma 3-MSH contents and adrenal glands were removed and submitted to histological study. The results indicate that ENUC and ADX increased AP POMC-related peptides synthesis and release in association with changes in the AP processing of peptides belonging to the N-terminal (gamma 3-MSH), mid (ACTH) and C-terminal (beta-LPH/ENDs) portions of POMC. While ADX abolished plasma B levels, ENUC induced a transient (day 2) decrease in plasma B concentrations which returned to SHAM levels at 7 days after surgery. These data tallied with the histological observations carried out, indicating a time-dependent regenerative process of the adrenal which was completed by three weeks after ENUC. There was a different pattern in plasma ACTH and beta-END levels between ENUC and ADX; maximal plasma peptide levels were found 7-14 days after ENUC, then falling down to SHAM values at 21 days post ENUC. Conversely, there was a constant increment in plasma peptide levels up to 21 days after ADX. At 2 days after both ENUC and ADX all peptides measured in the AP were lower than SHAM values, thus reflecting a rapid corticotrope secretion. Thereafter, 7 or more days after surgery, AP peptide content in ADX rats increased, in a time-related fashion, up to 21 days after surgery. Only beta-END-LI showed a similar AP content to that of the SHAM group, thereafter indicating a preferential cleavage of POMC to beta-END long after ADX (21 days). ENUC rats showed increased AP POMC peptides content throughout the whole time, and it was significantly different from SHAM and ADX values 14 days post-surgery. Interestingly, we found an increment in AP gamma 3-MSH, a peptide which is preferentially synthesized in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary, in both ENUC and ADX situations. Our results further indicate that: 1) glucocorticoids, from regenerating adrenal origin, induce a fast negative feedback mechanism on AP secretion, and 2) there might be a delayed inhibitory action of newly synthesized corticosteroids on higher levels of the central nervous system. The lack of glucocorticoids (ADX) clearly corroborates a persistent enhancement of AP POMC-related peptides synthesis and secretion. The differences in AP processing of POMC between ENUC and ADX might be due to qualitative/quantitative changes in hypothalamic ACTH secretagogues output.

The stimulatory effect of endothelin-1 on regenerating adrenal cortex is reversed by nifedipine.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, was found to act in non-vascular tissues, for example it enhanced aldosterone output from adrenal zona glomerulosa. As the adrenal cortex is capable of regeneration after enucleation, it seemed of interest to study the effects of ET-1 on adrenocortical regeneration. The study was performed on adult rats subjected to left adrenal enucleation combined with contralateral adrenalectomy. Mitotic index was employed to assess the proliferation of regenerating adrenal cortex cells. Plasma corticosterone was measured by a standard RIA kit. ET-1 significantly raised the mitotic index of regenerating rat adrenal cortex by six days after surgery. On the other hand, nifedipine reduced the proliferation ratio and abolished the stimulatory influence of ET-1. Similarly, ET-1 enhanced corticosterone output from the regenerating adrenal cortex, and this could be prevented by the addition of nifedipine. This study has shown that ET-1 might act as a regulatory factor on the regenerating adrenal cortex via calcium channels.

Effect of neurotensin and substance P on adrenal cortex regeneration

The influence of neurotensin (NT) and substance P (SP) on the early stage of adrenal regeneration was investigated. Neurotensin (5 and 50 micrograms/kg) and SP (10 and 100 micrograms/kg) were given to rats subjected to adrenal enucleation combined with contralateral adrenalectomy. The mitotic index was employed to assess cell growth, and plasma corticosterone was determined by a radioimmunological assay. The animals were killed 4 and 8 days after operation. Neurotensin did not evoke any significant changes either in the proliferation ratio or corticosterone production of regenerating adrenal cortex. However, it was found that SP (100 micrograms/kg) stimulated both the proliferation and steroidogenesis on the eighth day after operation.

Effect of selenium (Se) on plasma ACTH, β-endorphin, corticosterone and glucose in rat: influence of adrenal enucleation and metyrapone pretreatment

The effects of acute treatment (i.p.) with selenium (Se) on glucoregulation, by measuring plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), beta-endorphin (β-EN), corticosterone (CORT) and glucose over time, were investigated. The hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, were measured after treating rats with saline, Se: 1.6 mg/kg, or 3.8 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected before, 30, 60 and 90 min following injection. The results show that i.p. administration of Se (both doses) induce a rise in plasma ACTH, and β-EN ( P < 0.01). Plasma CORT and glucose levels also rose sharply by 30 min ( P < 0.05). Corticosterone levels were increased in a dose-dependent fashion over the ensuing hour. Bilateral adrenal demedullation resulted in the abolishment of the Se-induced rise in plasma glucose. Pretreatment with metyrapone (300 mg/kg) was found to delay the Se-induced rise in plasma glucose. The results indicate that after a Se challenge the HPA axis is activated. In addition, CORT was found to be essential in the Se-induced rise in plasma glucose.