Changes In Adrenal Cortex Research Articles

Effects of chronic exposure to a high fat diet, nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and -gonadal (HPG) axes of male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Diet-related factors are of great significance in the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to a high fat diet (HFD), fructose or sucralose on the endocrine functions. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats received a normal chow diet, HFD, 10% fructose or 0.02% sucralose for 10 weeks. Behavioral changes were assessed by open field (OFT) and elevated plus-maze (EPM) tests at week 8. H&E staining was used to observe pathological changes in adrenal cortex, testis and perirenal adipose tissue. Serum hormone concentrations were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of genes along the HPA and HPG axes were determined using real-time PCR. All types of dietary interventions increased body weight and disturbed metabolic homeostasis, with anxiogenic phenotype in behavioral tests and damage to cell morphology of adrenal cortex and testis being observed. Along the HPA axis, significantly increased corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) concentrations were observed in the HFD or 0.02% sucralose group. For HPG axis, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and estradiol (E2) concentrations were significantly increased in all dietary intervention groups, while decreased concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (T) were also detected. Moreover, transcriptional profiles of genes involved in the synthesis of hormones and corresponding hormone receptors were significantly altered. Long-term consumption of HFD, fructose or sucralose manifested deleterious effects on endocrine system and resulted in the dysregulation of HPA and HPG axes.

Ameliorative effect of Alpha-tocopherol on E-cigarette liquid induced histomorphological changes in adrenal cortex of male Albino rats.

Objective: To study the ameliorative effect of Alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E) against E-cigarette induced histomorphalogical changes in adrenal cortex of male Albino rats. Study Design: Randomized Animal Control Trial. Setting: Department of Anatomy, Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindi in collaboration with National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad. Period: September 2018 to September 2019. Material & Methods: 30 adult male albino rats were divided in three groups having 10 rats each. Normal diet and distilled water was given to control group (Group I) including 10 rats, for 4 weeks. The Rats of Group II were injected E-cigarette liquid 0.5mg per kg body weight per day diluted in 500ul normal saline intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. The experimental rats in Group III, in addition to E-cigarette liquid also received Vitamin E, 100mg per kg body weight per day mixed in daily diet. Dissection of the animals was done after completion of 4 weeks and adrenal gland was removed for histological analysis. Data was recorded and analyzed in SPSS™ version 21. Results: Alpha-Tocopherol restored the quantitative changes induced by E-Cigarette liquid in adrenal cortex in Group III, which was increased in the rats of Group II who were injected E-Cigarette liquid. Among microscopic parameters Orientation of cells, sinusoidal dilatation was significantly reduced in all adrenal cortex zones by Alpha-Tocopherol in Group III animals. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that Alpha-Tocopherol had an ameliorative effect on histological changes caused by E-cigarette liquid on adrenal cortex.

The possible protective role of vitamin C against Monosodium glutamate induced structural changes of adrenal cortex of the adult male albino rat: Histological and immunohistochemical study

Introduction: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a popularly used taste enhancer. MSG proved to cause many degenerative diseases and oxidative damages. Vitamin C has an antioxidant property.Aim: This work aimed to study the possible protective role of vitamin C against Monosodium glutamate induced structural changes of the adrenal cortex.Material and Methods: Forty-five adult male albino rats were used in this study, aged from 4-6 months and weighting 180-200 Kg. Animals were divided into three equal groups. Group I: It was composed of fifteen rats and was further subdivided into three equal subgroups; Subgroup IA: included 5 rats that kept as negative control. Subgroup IB: included 5 rats that received 1ml of distilled water for 8 weeks and Subgroup IC included 5 rats that received vitamin C in a dose of 0.3 mg/Kg body weight /day for 8 weeks. Group II: It included fifteen adult male rats that received 4mg/Kg body weight/ day of MSG for 8 weeks. Group III: It included fifteen rats that received MSG as in group II and vitamin C in a dose of 0.3 mg/Kg body weight /day for 8 weeks.Results: The present study revealed that MSG induced histological changes of adrenal cortex in the form of disorganized structure of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata with increased accumulation of the cytoplasmic droplets and thinning of the capsule. Group III that received vitamin C revealed evident improvement of these changes.Conclusion: Monosodium glutamate led to histoarchitectural changes of adrenal cortex. However, vitamin C greatly improved such changes.

Stress-induced changes in the aged-rat adrenal cortex. Histological and histomorphometric study.

Stress exposure exerts direct effects on the morphology and functionality of the adrenal cortex. In addition, ageing effects growth, differentiation, apoptosis and cellularity of the cortex. The missing data is the combined effect of stress and ageing on the adrenal cortex. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the structural changes in the adrenal cortex following the exposure to stress in the adult and aged albino rats. Forty rats were divided into groups I and II (adult and senile). Each group was further subdivided into subgroups a and b (control and stressed). Light and electron microscopic studies were done. Area per cent of collagen fibres (Masson's trichrome-stained sections), number of proliferating cells (optical density immunoreactivity in the Ki67 stained sections) and thickness of the three adrenal zones were also measured. Lamellar separation of the capsule with subcapsular spindle cell hyperplasia and areas of ghost cells were observed in zona glomerulosa (ZG) and zona fasciculata (ZF) in group I-b. Separation and indentation of the capsule with its lamellar separation were observed in group II-a with the existence of multiple scattered degenerative foci in ZF and zona reticularis (ZR). Similar and aggressive was the architectural pattern of ZF in group II-b with the presence of areas of homogenous degeneration. The nuclei of ZG had marginated chromatin in group I-b and were pyknotic with deformed irregular outlines in group II-b. Multiple lysosomes and vacuolar degeneration mitochondria were also seen in group I-b. The nuclei of ZF were irregular with condensed marginated heterochromatin in group I-b, irregular with scattered chromatin in group II-a and indented with areas of chromatin destruction in group II-b. Mitochondria with disrupted cristae and cristolysis were also detected in group I-b. Numerous lipofuscin granules and dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum were revealed in group II-b. The mean collagen fibre area per cent and the mean number of the proliferating cells in group II-b were significantly higher by 39% and 23%. The thickness of ZG decreased significantly by 20% in group I-b. Contrary, the thickness of both ZF and ZR increased significantly by 10% in group I-b. Histological alterations occurred in the adrenal cortex in response to stress, especially when coupled with the advance of age. This was accompanied by increase in the area per cent of collagen fibres and increase in the mean number of the proliferating cells in the adrenal cortex.

Does administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug determine morphological changes in adrenal cortex: ultrastructural studies.

Rofecoxib (Vioxx© made by Merck Sharp & Dohme, the USA) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which belongs to the group of selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenasis-2, i.e., coxibs. Rofecoxib was first registered in the USA, in May 1999. Since then the drug was received by millions of patients. Drugs of this group were expected to exhibit increased therapeutic action. Additionally, there were expectations concerning possibilities of their application, at least as auxiliary drugs, in neoplastic therpy due to intensifying of apoptosis. In connection with the withdrawal of Vioxx© (rofecoxib) from pharmaceutical market, attempts were made to conduct electron-microscopic evaluation of cortical part of the adrenal gland in preparations obtained from animals under influence of the drug. Every morning animals from the experimental group (15 rats) received rofecoxib (suspension in physiological saline)—non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Vioxx©, Merck Sharp and Dohme, the USA), through an intragastric tube in the dose of 1.25 mg during 8 weeks. In the evaluated material, there was found a greater number of secretory vacuoles and large, containing cholesterol and other lipids as well as generated glucocorticoids, lipid drops in cytoplasm containing prominent endoplasmic reticulum. There were also found cells with cytoplasm of smaller density—especially in apical and basal parts of cells. Mitochondria occasionally demonstrated features of delicate swelling. The observed changes, which occurred on cellular level with application of large doses of the drug, result from mobilization of adaptation mechanisms of the organism.

Qualitative Histological Analysis of Adrenal Cortex Following Application of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Aim. The aim of the investigation was to make a review of the morphological characteristics of the adrenal cortex following the application of high doses of medroxy­progesterone acetate (MPA). Material and Methods. Total of 48 female Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Control group was given saline daily, intra­muscularly, and the other three groups MPA in doses of 7.5, 15.0 and 75.0 mg/kg bw during 30 days. Paraffin sections from adrenal glands were stained according the following methods: hematoxylin-eosin, Azan modified by Heidenhein, Van-Gieson, Kossa-Goldner, Masson and Florentin. Results. Histological analysis demonstrated that MPA caused the following morphological changes in adrenal cortex: more intensive development of stroma; decrease of adrenal cortex thickness; disturbance of spacial organization of adrenocorti­cocytes in glomerular zone, fascicular zone and reticular zone; atrophic changes of adreno­corticocytes; disappearance of intermediary zone after application of 75.0 mg/kg bw MPA; appearance of microcysts in fascicular and reticular zones; decrease of cortical proliferate dimensions and accessory adrenal glands, disappearance of spongiocytes from their structure and atrophic changes of glomerular cells; decrease of adrenal cortex vascularisation, necrotic changes localized subglomerularly and in fascicular zone of adrenal cortex. Conclusion. In conclusion, MPA causes atrophic changes in adrenal cortex i.e., the decrease of its cell potential, a phenomenon suggesting that MPA possesses glucocorticoid characteristic.

Quantitative Analysis of Adrenal Cortical Histological Alterations After Application of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Results. Gravimetric and variance analysis demonstrated the most remarkable decrease of the adrenal gland weight after the application of 75.0 mg/kg/bw MPA (from 35.66 ± 11.78 to 13.41 ± 8.41 mg (p<0.001). On the other hand, morphometric analysis demonstrated that adrenal cortex volume was the most significantly reduced from 11.30 ± 3.53 in the control group to 2.04 ± 0.90 mm3 in the group treated with 15.0 mg/kg bw MPA (p<0.0001). Adrenal cortex thickness was reduced from 846.06 ± 6.48 to 349.55 ± 4.84 μm after the application of 75.0 mg/kg bw (p < 0.001). After the application of the same dose the glomerular zone thickness was decreased from 48.02 ± 0.44 to 41.40 ± 0.43 μm (p < 0.001), the fascicular zone thickness from 480.72 ± 3.43 to 194.32 ± 2.80 μm (p <0.001) and the reticular zone thicknes reduced from 317.47 ± 4.80 to 113.85 ± 2.28 μm (p < 0.001). The volume of glomerular zone cell nuclei decreased most remarkably from 94.79 ± 0.96 μm3 after the application of 75.0 mg/kg bw to 60.12 ± 0.88 μm3 (p < 0.001). The volume of fascicular zone cell nuceli decreased from 166.30 ± 1.53 to 52.47 ± 0.89 μm3 (p < 0.001), while the volume of reticular zone cell nuceli reduced from 95.61 ± 1.03 to 47.68 ± 0.92 μm3 (p < 0.001). The analysis by means of χ2 test showed that the appearance of tissue necrotic changes in adrenal cortex had a statistical significance only after the application of the highest dose of MPA (p < 0.012).

Chronic exposure of rats to occupational textile noise causes cytological changes in adrenal cortex

Chronic exposure to industrial noise and its effects on biological systems. Occupational exposure to noise may result in health disorders. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to high-intensity noise of textile industry cotton rooms on the adrenal morphology. The environmental noise of a cotton-mill room from a large textile factory of Northern Portugal was recorded and reproduced by an adopted electroacoustic setup in a sound-insulated animal room where the rats were housed. The sounds were reproduced at the original levels of approximately 92 dB, which was achieved by equalization and distribution of sound output in the room. Wistar rats were submitted to noise exposure, in the same time schedule as employed in textile plants. After one, three, five, and seven months, the adrenals were collected and analyzed by light microscopy. Analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance and post hoc Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons of the means between the groups. Noise exposure induced time-dependent changes in adrenal cortex, with decrease of zona fasciculata (ZF) and increase of zona reticularis volumes, together with a significant depletion of lipid droplet density in ZF cells of exposed rats, in comparison to control rats. Chronic exposure of rats to textile industry noise triggers cytological changes in the adrenals that suggest the existence of a sustained stress response.

Studies of toxicity of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate -5. Chronic toxicity in rats by percutaneous administration (author's transl)

Chronic toxicity of a new synthetic corticosteroid, hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate (HBP), was investigated in rats of both sexes. HBP was percutaneously given to rats with 0.1%, 0.5% cream and ointment at the daily dose level of 150 mg per 100 g body weight for 6 months. For the comparison, the percutaneous toxicity with 0.12% betamethasone 17-valerate (BV) cream and ointment, and 0.1% hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (HB) cream and ointment at the daily dose level of 150 mg per 100 g body weight were studied. Rats receiving HBP showed the dose-dependent changes such as the suppression of body weight gain and food intake, emaciation, decrease in the number of white blood cells and lymphocytes, total protein, increase in the number of red cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, blood sugar and total cholesterol, regressive changes in adrenal cortex, lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues and skin, and gastric erosion, which have been well known as toxic effects of synthetic corticosteroids. These findings were comparatively high toxic in male, and almost disappeared in rats elapsed recovery time of month after withdrawal of HBP. The toxicities of HBP, BV and HB were qualitatively same. However, the grade of effects of HBP toxicity was similar to that of HB, weaker than of BV.

Ultrastructural Cytopiasmic Changes of Adrenal Cortex During Pregnancy

Adrenal steroids are normally synthesized from acetyl coenzyme A via cholesterol. Cholesterol is also shown to enter the adrenal gland and to be localized in the lipid droplets of the adrenal cortical cells. Both pregnenolone and progesterone act as intermediates in the conversion of cholesterol into steroid hormones. During pregnancy an increased level of plasma cholesterol is known to be associated with an increase of the adrenal corticoid and progesterone. The present study is designed to demonstrate whether the adrenal cortical cells show any dynamic changes during pregnancy.

Accelerated Senescent Changes in Adrenal Cortex of the Hamster

The adrenal cortex of the golden hamster shows a progressive pattern of change with advancing age (1). Such changes are not uncommon, having been reported also in the rat (2-4) and mouse (5). The hamster exhibits gradual alterations including (1) the development of hyperplastic nodules, either subcapsular or supracapsular, (2) deposition of the so-called wear and tear pigment, lipofuscin, (3) increase in the thickness of both the cortical and medullary capsules, (4) infiltration by connective tissues in the cortex proper, (5) both intercellular and intracellular vacuolation, and (6) increased vascularity (1). Both the rat and the mouse show a similar, although nonidentical, pattern of aging. In a study of whole-body X-irradiation in the age-simulation of reproductive function in the female hamster, not only has it been found that the physiological picture resembles that seen in normal senescence, but histological examination of the reproductive organs reveals a comparable alteration (6). In view of this, the adrenal cortex, which has been shown to give a typical aging response in specific organisms, was picked to investigate further this aging mimicry. Hamsters lend themselves well to this type of study because of their short life span. Also in this experiment the female animals showed a typical senescent reproductive syndrome-that is, anestrus in most animals or, if they were still cycling, small litters, lengthening gestation, and increased resorption (7).

Thyroid hormone administration and ovarian and adrenal activity in rats bearing hypothalamic lesions.

Bilaterally symmetrical electrolytic lesions which damaged arcuate nucleus and median eminence in the hypothalamus of adult female rats regularly produced atrophy of the reproductive tract (and reduced thyroid function) but were without consistent effect on adrenal morphology. Hypothalamic obesity and genital hypoplasia were frequently associated. Thyroxine and triiodothy-ronine administration to intact animals induced ovarian and uterine hypertrophy as well as adrenal enlargement. Similar treatment in operated rats failed to reverse the gonadal atrophy but did not interfere with the adrenal hypertrophy. A differential response was also found in rats made severely hypo-thyroid with propylthiouracil prior to hypothalamic destruction. Ovarian atrophy without concomitant change in adrenal cortex occurred following placing of lesions and goitrogen withdrawal. Evidences of adreno-cortical activation were seen in rats with diabetes insipidus (lesion-induced) and in chronically starved animals with marked hypoth...

Morphological Studies on the Adreno-cortical Function of the Rat

In order to study the morphological changes in the adreno-cortical functions in various conditions, normal and hypophysectomized male and female rats were used. The effects of various stressor and various steroid hormones on the adrenal gland were investigated histologically and histochemically. The functional relationships between the anterior pituitary and the adreno-cortical cells were also described.Chapter 1. Functional Morphology of normal male and female rats and the effects of gonadectomy on the ad renal cortex.In young rats, there were no histological and histochemical differences observed between the male and female adrenal cortex. But in adult rats, the adrenal of the female was larger than that of the male, and the sudanophilic granules were finer in the former than in the latter. In young rats, the transitional zone (sudanophobic zone) existed in both sexes, but in adult females, this zone was not observed. Following gonadectomy, the male adrenal weight was increased, but the female adrenal weight decreased slightly. The sexual dimorphism that is clearly observed in normal adult rats, became indistinct following gonadectomy. From these facts, the author also suggested that the adrenal function of adult female rats is greater than of adult male rats. And this functional dimorphism is probably due to endogenous estrogen in female rats.Generally, the sudanophilic granules of the adrenal cortex parallel Schiff reaction, Schultz reaction for cholesterol and the birefringent particles in the normal rat. But these histochemical findings did not always parallel the various functional conditions.Chapter 2. The relationship between adrenocortical function and the anterior pituitary. The author investigated the morphological and histochemical changes of the rat's adrenal cortex during adrenal hypersecretion following ACTH injection and during hyposecretion following hypophysectomy.1) The adrenal weight increased under prolonged administration of ACTH. And the adrenal weight seemed to be a good functional index in the prolonged experiments.2) The transitional zone (sudanopz hobe zone) always disappeared when the adrenal cortex was hyperfunctioning. On the other hand, this zone became broader during cortical hypofunction. From the appearance of this zone, one could know the adrenal cortical functional state.3) Using colchicine, the author observed mitotic activities of cortical cells during ACTH administration. The mitotic activities of the cortical cell were most frequently observed in the outer fasciculata and the glomerulosa.4) Following single injections of ACTH, the sudanophilic granules were almost depleted from the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis, and the cells of the zona fasciculata showed hypertrophy, while the zona glomerulosa did not show any changes histochemically. This finding may support Deane's concept (zonal theory). But with prolonged injection of large amounts of ACTH, the sudanophilic granules of the zona glomerulosa were also depleted, and the glomerulosa cells were also hypertrophied. From this experimental result and our other observations, the author made the following conclusions. During overwhelming cortical hypersecretion, the demand for fascicular function is increased and the cells of the zona glomerulosa are transformed into fasciculata cells. Therefore the zona glomerulosa and the zona fasciculata have the same cells of origin, and are not independent cells. Chapter 3. Morphological changes of the adrenal cortex under various stressfull conditions. The histological and histochemical changes of the adrenal cortex under stress generally seemed to be non-specific reactions and similar to the reaction following ACTH injection. But some of the stressors caused peculiar changes in the adrenal cortex. After prolonged administration of adrenalin, many exhaustive vacuoles were seen in the zona fasciculata.

Pathological changes in adrenal cortex of mouse during experimental meningococcal infection.

SummaryEmploying a technic which minimized the production of artifacts, a histological study was made of the adrenal glands of mice infected with meningococcus and also of appropriate controls. Depletion of fat, engorgement and inflammatory cell infiltration were demonstrated during the course of the infection. After successful treatment with penicillin the adrenal cortex showed a progressive recovery as manifested by reaccumulation of fat and reduction of hyperemia and inflammatory reaction.

Lipoid and Hemorrhagic Changes in Adrenal Cortex Following Traumatic Shock.

It has been shown that if profound and fatal shock is to be obtained in the intact dog by traumatization, the severity of tissue injury must be very much greater than is required to induce shock symptoms in the equally healthy and vigorous animal lacking adrenal glands.1 Evidence is presented indicating that the extreme susceptibility of the adrenalectomized dog to shock following trauma is largely due to the absence of one of the mechanisms concerned with the maintenance of normal blood volume, namely, the adrenal cortex. Data are presented here which show that the adrenal cortex of intact dogs dying from traumatic shock presents histological evidence of considerable impairment.The lipoid studies were made on frozen sections of the adrenals variously stained with 2% osmic acid, Scharlach R, and Sudan III. For the study of adrenal cortical hemorrhages and other histological details, paraffin sections were stained with iron hematoxylin and eosin.The dogs in both the normal and experimental groups were rigo...