Zona Fasciculata Research Articles

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.

The Antidepressant Effect of Chlorella vulgaris on Female Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) with Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Treatment

Depression is a disabling mental disorder, predicted to become the world's number 2 disability by 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2018). Chronic stress is one of the triggers for depression, causing an imbalance in brain chemicals and antioxidants levels. Although antidepressant is a common treatment, discomforting side effects has compromised its efficacy, prompting the search for alternative medicines. Chlorella vulgaris is a microalgae famous for its excellent protein and antioxidant content. In this study, C. vulgaris (360 mg/kg p.o.) potency of antidepressant in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model of depression in female rats was evaluated compared to amitriptyline (2,25 mg/kg p.o.) for 14 days. Two types of C. vulgaris namely cultivation sourced and commercially-sold, were used. Sucrose preference test, forced swim test (FST) and open field test (OFT) were used as depression-like behaviour test to validate C. vulgaris effect. Adrenal glands were observed to further understand its effect on the stress organ. The CUMS method produced rats with depressive-like behaviour evidently by reduced body weight, sucrose preference, exploring behaviour in OFT, and increased immobility duration in FST. Furthermore, an increase in adrenal weight, fasciculata zone, and reticularis zone was observed. Both C. vulgaris significantly (p<0,05) reversed depressive-like behaviour in rats subjected to CUMS, but not the size of adrenal glands. This finding indicated both types of C. vulgaris has the potential to be an alternative antidepressant but because of the short duration of treatment, it’s speculated that C. vulgaris may not have exhibited enough difference structurally yet.

Histological study of the effect of tributyltin on the adrenal cortical cells of adult male albino rats.

Background: Tributyltin is widely used as antifouling paint for marine vessels. It is slowly released from the paint to the water and becomes incorporated into soil, animals and plants. TBT has been identified as an endocrine disruptor and induces oxidative damage. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the probable toxic effect of tributyltin on adrenal cortical cells of adult male albino rats for two different durations. Materials and Methods: Twenty four adult male albino rats were divided into 3 equal groups: Group I: was the control group; Group II: each rat received tributyltin orally at a dose of 1mg daily for one week. Group III: received the same daily dose for successive two weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were subjected to hormonal assay for aldosterone, corticosterone and ACTH levels. Serum tin levels were assessed. The adrenal tissue was processed for light and electron microscopic examination. In addition, immunoreaction for CD 44 positive was performed. Results: A significant decrease in aldosterone and corticosterone, an increase in ACTH levels and an increase in the mean count of CD44 positive cells in group III have been revealed when compared with the other groups. Histological changes in group II were shown in zona glomerulosa and fasciculata in the form of loss of architecture, cytoplasmic vacuolation and disrupted mitochondrial cristae. Meanwhile, Group III showed few lipid droplets and deeply stained nuclei in both zones. Conclusion: Tributyltin has deleterious effects on cells of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex of adult male albino rats which were time-dependent.

Histomorphological and Histochemical Study of Adrenal Gland in Adult Male of Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)

The present study was carried on twenty adult males of Guinea pigs to evaluate the histomorphological and histochemical features of adrenal gland. Morphologically, Guinea pigs had a couple adrenal glands brown in color were located craniomedially attached to each cranial pole of kidney, the right adrenal gland had pyramidal shape, while the left had elongated shape. The statistical results showed that there is significant difference between the right and left adrenal gland in the weight, length, thickness, width and volume. The histological and histochemical results showed that adrenal gland was composed of cortex and medulla. The cortex was consisted of three zones. The zona glomerulosa was consisted of columnar or cuboidal cells arranged in groups as glomeruli, the zona fasciculata and reticularis were composed mainly of polygonal cells arranged in regular and irregular cords.The medulla region was composed of ovoid group of cells (chromaffine cells) that arranged in irregular cords separated by blood sinusoid and surrounded by central vein, contained two types of cells, the first cell was columnar in shape and brownish in color representing the epinephrine secreting cell, the second cell was polygonal in shape and light brownish in color with spherical nucleus representing the Norepinephrine secreting cell when fixed in chromate salts. All parts of adrenal gland exhibited strong to moderate reaction for Periodic Acid Schiff stain. The statistical results showed that there is significant difference between the right and left adrenal gland in the thickness of capsule, zona glomerulusa, zona fasciculata, zona reticularis and medulla region.

Role of Transcription Factor Oct4 in Postnatal Development and Function of the Adrenal Cortex.

We analyzed the expression of transcriptional factor Oct4 in rat adrenal cortical cells during postnatal development. It was found that Oct4 is expressed by typical cortical cells of the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis in pubertal and postpubertal periods. The maximum number of Oct4+ cells was found in the zona glomerulosa. An inverse correlation between the number of Oct4+ glomerulosa cells and serum level of aldosterone both in pubertal and postpubertal periods was revealed. After puberty, the number of Oct4+ glomerulosa cells directly correlated with the number of Ki-67+ cells. A hypothesis was put forward that Oct4 is involved in postnatal morphogenesis, regeneration, and functioning of the adrenal cortex.

Stability and Turnover of the ACTH Receptor Complex.

Glucocorticoid production in mammals is principally regulated by the action of the pituitary hormone adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) acting on its cognate membrane receptor on the zona fasciculata cells of the adrenal cortex. The receptor for ACTH consists of two essential components, a small seven transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptor of the melanocortin receptor subgroup known as the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) and a small single transmembrane domain protein that adopts a antiparallel homodimeric form and which is known as the melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP). MRAP is essential for the trafficking of the MC2R to the cell surface as well as being required for receptor responsiveness to ACTH at physiological concentrations—probably by facilitating ACTH binding, but possibly also by supporting G protein interaction with the MC2R. A number of studies have shown that ACTH stimulates the expression of functional receptor at the cell surface and the transcription of both MC2R and MRAP mRNA. However, the time course of these transcriptional effects differs such that MRAP is expressed relatively rapidly whereas MC2R transcription responds much more slowly. Furthermore, recent data suggests that MRAP protein is turned over with a short half-life whereas MC2R has a significantly longer half-life. These findings imply that these two ACTH receptor proteins have distinct trajectories and that it is likely that MRAP-independent MC2R is present at the cell surface. In such a situation newly transcribed and translated MRAP could enable the rapid recruitment of functional receptor at the plasma membrane without the need for new MC2R translation. This may be advantageous in circumstances of significant stress in that the potentially complex and perhaps inefficient process of de novo MC2R translation, folding, post-translational modification and trafficking can be avoided.

Integrity of Actin-Network Is Involved in Uridine 5′-Triphosphate Evoked Store-Operated CaM2+ Entry in Bovine Adrenocortical Fasciculata Cells

Store-operated Ca2+ entry channels (SOCs) play an important role in the regulation of diverse non-excitable cell functions. However, the precise mechanism of SOCs activation is still controversial. Uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP) was shown to induce Ca2+ entry in a dihydropyridines-insensitive manner and accelerated steroidogenesis in bovine adrenocortical fasciculata cells (BAFCs) via the Gq/11 protein-coupled P2Y2 receptor. Therefore we investigated whether UTP is involved in SOCs activation and the mechanism of UTP-induced SOCs activation. Fura 2-loaded BAFCs were used for the measurement of intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) mobilization. Extracellular UTP evoked Ca2+ release from intracellular stores followed by an increase in Ca2+ entry. The Ca2+ influx elicited by UTP was inhibited not by nifedipine, but by Zn2+, Cd2+, and Ni2+ (potency order: Zn2+ > Cd2+ >> Ni2+), and the effect of UTP was also attenuated by a phospholipase C inhibitor (U73122). These results indicate that UTP activates SOCs in BAFCs. The increase in [Ca2+]i by UTP was attenuated by ML-9, a myosin-light chain kinase inhibitor, and calmodulin inhibitors, W-7 and E6 berbamine, in a concentration-dependent manner. These reagents depolymerized actin filaments with rhodamine staining in BAFCs. Cytochalasin D also inhibited UTP-activated SOCs and depolymerized actin filaments. From these results, we proposed that calcium/calmodulin dependent myosin-light chain kinase is involved in the mobilization of actin filaments and the integrity of actin-network plays an important role in UTP-induced SOCs activation in BAFCs.

Effect of Volatile Anesthetics on Steroidogenesis in Isolated Bovine Adrenocortical Fasciculata Cells

Effect of Volatile Anesthetics on Steroidogenesis in Isolated Bovine Adrenocortical Fasciculata Cells

Regulation of Proliferative Processes in Rat Adrenal Cortex by Transcriptional Factor PRH under Conditions of Developmental Exposure to Endocrine Disruptor DDT.

The effects of endocrine disrupters of transcriptional control of morphogenesis are poorly studied. Changes in the expression of transcriptional factor PRH and proliferation of adrenal cortical cells were analyzed in pubertal and postpubertal rats exposed prenatally and postnatally to low doses of endocrine disrupter DDT. In rats exposed to DDT, the expression of PRH and proliferation of adrenal cortical cells differed from those in control rats. Association between these parameters was weakened in the zona glomerulosa and zona reticularis and was absent in the zona fasciculata. These findings suggest that exposure to DDT in pre- and postnatal periods impairs the regulation of proliferative processes by transcriptional factor PRH in all zones of rat adrenal cortex, which can be a mechanism of the disruptive action of DDT.

Correlation Between Differentiation of Adrenocortical Zones and Telomere Lengths Measured by Q-FISH.

Adrenocortical zonation is associated with a markedly complex developmental process, and the pathogenesis and/or etiology of many disorders of adrenocortical zonal development have remained unknown. Cells from the three adrenocortical zones are morphologically and functionally differentiated, and the mature stage of cell development or senescence has been recently reported to be correlated with telomere length. However, the telomere length of each adrenocortical zonal cell has not yet been studied in human adrenal glands. We aimed to study the telomere lengths of adrenocortical parenchymal cells from three different zones of the adrenal glands present during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Adrenal glands of 30 autopsied subjects, aged between 0 and 68 years, were retrieved from pathology files. The normalized telomere to centromere ratio (NTCR), an index of telomere length, was determined in the parenchymal cells of the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis (ZR), using quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization. NTCR of ZR cells was the longest, followed in decreasing order by that of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata cells in subjects aged 20 to 68 years, but no substantial differences in NTCR were detected among these three zones in the group <20 years of age. NTCR of ZR increased with age in subjects aged 20 to 68 years, whereas no important age-dependent changes in NTCR were detected in the group <20 years of age. The telomere lengths for three zones in adrenal cortex were correlated with their differentiation in adulthood but not in childhood and adolescence.

Hormonal and spatial control of SUMOylation in the human and mouse adrenal cortex.

SUMOylation is a highly conserved and dynamic post-translational mechanism primarily affecting nuclear programs for adapting organisms to stressful challenges. Alteration of SUMOylation cycles leads to severe developmental and homeostatic defects and malignancy, but signals coordinating SUMOylation are still unidentified. The adrenal cortex is a zonated endocrine gland that controls body homeostasis and stress response. Here, we show that in human and in mouse adrenals, SUMOylation follows a decreasing centripetal gradient that mirrors cortical differentiation flow and delimits highly and weakly SUMOylated steroidogenic compartments, overlapping glomerulosa, and fasciculata zones. Activation of PKA signaling by acute hormonal treatment, mouse genetic engineering, or in Carney complex results in repression of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation in the inner cortex by coordinating expression of SUMO pathway inducers and repressors. Conversely, genetic activation of canonical wingless-related integration site signaling maintains high SUMOylation potential in the outer neoplastic cortex. Thus, SUMOylation is tightly regulated by signaling pathways that orchestrate adrenal zonation and diseases.-Dumontet, T., Sahut-Barnola, I., Dufour, D., Lefrançois-Martinez, A.-M., Berthon, A., Montanier, N., Ragazzon, B., Djari, C., Pointud, J.-C., Roucher-Boulez, F., Batisse-Lignier, M., Tauveron, I., Bertherat, J., Val, P., Martinez, A. Hormonal and spatial control of SUMOylation in the human and mouse adrenal cortex.

MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN THE ADRENAL GLANDS IN THE EARLY DEADLINE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF STREPTOSOTOCIN DIABETES MELLITUS

Relevance of research. The medical and social problem of diabetes involves a steady increase in the prevalence of diseases, high rates of mortality and disability in patients. Disorders of the pituitary-adrenal system play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease and its complications. Thus, the aim of the research was to determine the specific features of the morpho-functional changes of the adrenal gland in experimental streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus and in response to its management. Aim of the study. To establish the peculiarities of morphofunctional restructuring of the adrenal cortex in the early stages (7-14 days) of experimental diabetes. On the 7th day of the development of streptozotocin diabetes mellitus in the adrenal glands, the stage of reactive changes in response to metabolic disorders in the body is traced. Significant thickening of zona fasciculata by 23.95 % (р=0.0007) is noticed in adrenal cortex in this observation period, while the thickness of zona glomerulosa and zona reticularis does not significantly differ from the control indices (р&lt;0.05 in all cases). The endocrinocytes’ profile area is significantly decreased in zona fasciculata that under permanent nucleus area leads to the increase of nucleocytoplasmic index. Morphometric changes in cells are associated with the decrease of lipid droplets in their cytoplasm. It is confirmed by statistical study on the ultrastructural level (volume density of lipid droplets decreases by 48.85 %). These changes in endocrinocytes of zona fasciculata point to significant release of glucocorticoid hormones into blood and is confirmed by biochemical findings, namely, the cortisol level increases by 1.5 times (р=0.0074). Linear proportional associations are revealed between the glucose and cortisol levels r=+0.82 (р=0.0244). On the 14th day of streptozotocin diabetes mellitus is observed to the increase of morphofunctional activity of adrenal cortex, which is evident in: significant thickening of all its zones; significant increase of endocrinocytes’ profile area of all zones and their nuclei; increase of volume density of lipid granules in endocrinocytes of zona fasciculata by 4.73 times respectfully. Blood cortisol level also increases to 18.27±2.21 ng/ml on the 14th day of experiment by 1.7 times.

Histogenesis of suprarenal glands at different gestational age groups

Background: The human foetal suprarenal gland is structurally variant from its adult counterpart. The most distinctive features of human foetal suprarenal gland and histologically unique foetal zone, was described first by Elliott and Armour in 1911. After the first trimester, the centrally located foetal zone accounts for most of the foetal adrenal mass. The outer zone of the foetal suprarenal gland is called the “definitive zone or neo cortex”; this zone likely gives rise to the adult adrenal glomerulosa. A third zone called “transitional zone”, lies just between the neocortex and foetal zone and is believed to develop into the zona fasciculata.&#x0D; Aims and Objectives: The current study was designed to study the histogenesis of suprarenal glands at different gestational age groups.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight formalin preserved dead embryos and foetuses of both sexes, were obtained from the Govt. Maternity Hospital &amp; S.V.Medical College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. Specimens were grouped according to their gestational age groups (A,B,C,D) A= 0-12 weeks, B= 13-24 weeks, C= 25-36 weeks and D= more than 36 weeks of gestation. Specimens from group A were subjected to serial section as this group consists of embryos, and other groups were sectioned coronal and subjected to routine histological processing for H&amp;E staining. Sections were observed for cellular details under light microscopy with 10X and 40X magnifications, and the same were photographed by microphotography.&#x0D; Results: Based upon the gestational age groups, histogenesis of the suprarenal gland was observed and correlated with the available literature, and the detailed results, discussion will be dealt at the time of discussion.&#x0D; Conclusions: Histological observation of the all the specimens observed in the present study are in agreement with those reported in the literature except that they appeared earlier in the present study than that reported in the literature. Capsule of suprarenal gland appeared at 12 weeks, sympatho-chromaffin bundles appeared before 6 weeks and zonation of cortex was observed at 8 weeks in the present study when compared to the time of appearance reported in the literature as 14 weeks, after 6 weeks and after 12 weeks respectively in the literature.

CORRIGENDUM FOR "Dynamics of ACTH-Mediated Regulation of Gene Transcription in ATC1 and ATC7 Adrenal Zona Fasciculata Cell Lines".

CORRIGENDUM FOR "Dynamics of ACTH-Mediated Regulation of Gene Transcription in ATC1 and ATC7 Adrenal Zona Fasciculata Cell Lines".

Histological characteristics of accessory adrenal glands of rabbits with different types of autonomous tonus

For the purposes of the adrenal gland’s study, 27 four months old male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of Termond White breed were selected. Based on electrocardiography and variation pulsometry results, three types of autonomous tonus were determined in animals: sympathicotonia (ST), normotonia (NT) and parasympathicotonia (PS), which formed the basis for the division of animals into three groups. All rabbits were subjected to euthanasia and histological preparations were made from their adrenal glands. Apart from the main adrenal gland, accessory adrenal gland was detected in five purposes animals, including three ST rabbits, one NT rabbit and one PS rabbit. Also, four accessory adrenal glands were revealed in one ST rabbit simultaneously. In fact, these accessory adrenal glands became the main object of the further morphological research. The obtained historical indicators accessory adrenal glands were compared to the ones from various animal groups (CT with NT and CT with PS), as well as to the indicators of the main adrenal gland in each group. Statistical analysis of the received data was performed only in the group of ST animals. Accessory adrenal gland of ST rabbits is represented by two zones: zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata, the area of which is 52% and 48% respectively. In PS and NT rabbits, the glands are formed by zona glomerulosa only. Investigating the accessory adrenal gland’s cellular component, it was found that NT rabbits have the largest cell area in zona glomerulosa, while PS rabbits have the smallest one. At the same time, the area of nucleus has the largest values in ST animals and the smallest ones in PS animals likewise. Сomparing zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata in ST rabbits, it was found that cell size differs significantly, while the area of nucleus is almost identical. The nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio in zona glomerulosa cells is the largest for PS rabbits. The smallest ratio values were detected among the NT rabbits. Obviously, ST rabbits occupy an intermediate position. Unlike the main adrenal gland, the cells of accessory adrenal gland are of a smaller size and а denser location of cells in all groups of animals. The conducted studies allow concluding that the typological features of the autonomous tonus affect the morphology of accessory adrenal gland.

Morphofunctional alterations of the adrenal cortex of sexually mature rats under prolonged exposure to heavy metal salts

The salts of heavy metals negatively affect the health of the population and cause the development of the pathology of individual organs and systems of the body. Adrenal hormones are one of the key places in regulating and maintaining the basic functions of the body. The aim of the study — the study of morphological rearrangements of the structural components of the adrenal cortex of sexually mature male rats under conditions of prolonged exposure to the combination of heavy metal salts remains relevant and insufficiently studied. The experiment was conducted on 12 animals weighing 250–300 g, aged 7–8 months. Animals of the experimental group used for 90 days the usual drinking water, saturated with a combination of heavy metal salts. Commonly used histological methods of research were used. Long-term admission into the body of sexually-mature rats of a combination of heavy metal salts leads to morphological rearrangements of the stroma, vascular bed, morphology and secretory activity of cells of the adrenal gland, mainly zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. Development in spongy sacs of lipid vacuolar and granular degeneration indicates a weakening of steroidogenesis, which negatively affects the development of compensatory and adaptive processes in the body and the general adaptation syndrome in response to the action of the damaging agent. So, adaptive-compensatory processes in the adrenal cortex with signs of reduced functional activity, characteristic for the initial stages of depletion of the general adaptive syndrome. Prospects for further development are based on conducting studies of adrenal rats in conditions of reparative changes after long periods of influence of the combination of heavy metal salts on the body.

Dynamics of ACTH-Mediated Regulation of Gene Transcription in ATC1 and ATC7 Adrenal Zona Fasciculata Cell Lines.

We tested the hypothesis that mouse ATC1 and ATC7 cells, the first adrenocortical cell lines to exhibit a complete zona fasciculata (ZF) cell phenotype, respond to dynamic ACTH stimulation in a similar manner as the adrenal gland in vivo. Exploiting our previous in vivo observations that gene transcription within the steroidogenic pathway is dynamically regulated in response to a pulse of ACTH, we exposed ATC1 and ATC7 cells to various patterns of ACTH, including pulsatile and constant, and measured the transcriptional activation of this pathway. We show that pulses of ACTH administered to ATC7 cells can reliably stimulate a pulsatile pattern of transcriptional activity that is comparable to that observed in adrenal ZF cells in vivo. Hourly pulses of ACTH stimulate dynamic increases in CREB phosphorylation (pCREB) and transcription of genes involved in critical steps of steroidogenesis including signal transduction (e.g., MRAP), cholesterol delivery (e.g., StAR), and steroid biosynthesis (e.g., CYP11A1), as well as those relating to transcriptional regulation of steroidogenic factors (e.g., SF-1 and Nur-77). In contrast, constant ACTH stimulation results in a prolonged and exaggerated pCREB and steroidogenic gene transcriptional response. We also show that when a large dose of ACTH (100 nM) is applied after these treatment regimens, a significant increase in steroidogenic transcriptional responsiveness is achieved only in cells that have been exposed to pulsatile, rather than constant, ACTH. Our data support our in vivo observations that pulsatile ACTH is important for the optimal transcriptional responsiveness of the adrenal. Importantly, our data suggest that ATC7 cells respond to dynamic ACTH stimulation.

Hair cortisol concentration in veal calves reared under two different welfare production labels

The hypothesis of this study was that veal calves reared under enhanced welfare standards undergo less stress than calves raised in a conventionally system that meets the minimal standards of the Swiss animal welfare legislation, and that this difference is reflected by differences in hair cortisol concentrations and the size, weight and total cortisol concentration of the adrenal glands. A total of 100 veal calves reared under two different animal welfare production labels were used; the labels differed with respect to stocking density and access to an outdoor area and pasture. The production labels included Quality Management and Naturafarm. Hair samples for cortisol measurement were collected from all calves and the adrenal glands were obtained at slaughter. The left adrenal gland was used for cortisol measurement and the right gland was used for histological and morphometric measurements. The median hair cortisol concentrations of the two production groups were 2.4 and 2.3 pg/mg hair, which did not differ significantly. Likewise, the median cortisol concentration of the adrenal cortex (1.7 and 1.6 μg/g), the total adrenal cortisol content (4.8 and 4.7 μg), the weights of the cortex (3.2 and 3.1 g) and medulla (1.7 and 1.7 g) and the thickness of the zona fasciculata (1430 and 1532 μm) did not differ significantly between groups. Thus, it appears that the calves of the two production labels did not suffer obvious stress. This finding notwithstanding, all veal calves deserve to be reared under optimised animal-appropriate welfare conditions.

The possible structural changes in the adrenal gland cortex after induction of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in male albino rats: Light and electron microscopic study.

The adrenal gland is an important endocrine gland in the body that secrets the adrenal hormones. One of the important clinical issues is the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Liver IR injury results in many distant organs dysfunctions such as lung, kidney, intestine, pancreas, and myocardium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible remote effects of hepatic IR on the structure of the adrenal cortex. Twenty healthy males, Sprague-Dawley albino rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into two groups (10 rats each): the sham control group (SC-group) and the ischemia-reperfusion group (IR-group). Sera were estimated for the following: aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and corticosterone levels. Also oxidative markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the antioxidative enzyme, catalase were measured. Adrenal glands were processed for light and transmission electron microscopic study. The results showed a significant increase in serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and LDH), corticosterone, MDA, and TNF-α levels and a significant decrease in serum levels of catalase in IR-group compared with SC-group. Adrenal cortical tissue of IR-group showed the loss of normal appearance. Some cells of zona glomerulosa and most of the zona fasciculata cells appeared swollen and degenerated with highly vacuolated cytoplasm. Other cells were shrunken with deeply acidophilic cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei. Degenerated mitochondria with disrupted cristae, lipid droplets were confluent and dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum were seen. Few zona reticularis cells had the dark nucleus and cytoplasmic vacuolations. In the different zones, blood capillaries were markedly congested and some inflammatory cells infiltrations were observed. Liver IR affected the structure of the adrenal cortex.

Adrenal cortex disorders in a new model of obesity, Gerbillus gerbillus, exposed to a high carbohydrate diet

Obesity is associated with several endocrine disorders, including hypersensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high carbohydrate diet on structural and ultrastructural features of steroidogenic tissue, as well to evaluate adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and insulin levels in the blood and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) expression in the adrenals of gerbils. In electron microscopy, the most pronounced effect of the hypercaloric diet was observed in the zona fasciculata. Plasma levels of ACTH, cortisol, and insulin also showed significant increases. However, no significant change was noted in StAR protein levels. There is evidence that high carbohydrate intake brings about remarkable morphological and functional modifications. This could ultimately lead to mitochondrial alteration and accumulation of lipid droplets, which may lead to inflammation and degeneration of adrenal cells.