Effects of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on the cyclic AMP and phospholipid metabolism of rat adrenocortical cells

Results on the effects of peptides on the phospholipid metabolism and steroid and cyclic AMP (cAMP) outputs of rat adrenal capsular cells (96% zona glomerulosa, 4% zona fasciculata) were obtained in a series of three batch experiments. Their significance was examined by analysis of variance. Incorporation of [32P] into phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol was measured. Production of [3H]inositol-1 monophosphate, inositol-1,4 bisphosphate and inositol-1,4,5 tris-phosphate was estimated after prelabelling with [3H]inositol followed by 1 min incubation with a steroidogenic stimulus. Angiotensin II (0.25 nmol/l to 0.25 mumol/l) highly significantly (P less than 0.01) stimulated aldosterone and corticosterone outputs, [32P] incorporation into phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol (but not into phosphatidylcholine) and the production of the three [3H]inositol phosphates. Aldosterone and corticosterone outputs were stimulated by alpha-MSH (above 0.1 nmol/l). However, incorporation of [32P] was not significantly increased until 10 mumol alpha-MSH/l but, unlike with angiotensin II, incorporation into phosphatidylcholine was also then stimulated. Also, the production of the inositol phosphates was not increased significantly (P greater than 0.05) by any dose of alpha-MSH (10 nmol/l, 1 mumol/l and 0.1 mmol/l) used. Therefore, it can be concluded that alpha-MSH does not stimulate phospholipase C in rat zona glomerulosa cells. In further experiments, it was also found that there were significant increases in cAMP as well as in steroid outputs above 1 nmol alpha MSH/l (highly significant above 10 nmol alpha-MSH/l). There were plateaux of the outputs of both steroids and cAMP from 0.1 to 1 mumol alpha-MSH/l. However, there were further increases in steroid and cAMP outputs of the capsular cells at higher doses. Concomitant results on the stimulation of corticosterone output by zona fasciculata-reticularis cells indicate that this additional increase was mostly due to the stimulation of the contaminating zona fasciculata cells. It was also confirmed that alpha-MSH preferentially stimulates steroidogenesis by the zona glomerulosa. However, under our conditions, alpha-MSH highly significantly increased the output of cAMP by both zona fasciculata and glomerulosa cells.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulation of aldosterone secretion by the rat adrenal cortex may be mediated by the local release of catecholamines.

The effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on adrenocortical function were investigated using several different preparations of adrenocortical tissue. VIP caused a significant increase in perfusion medium flow rate and in aldosterone and corticosterone secretion by the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland, with a threshold of 1 pmol in 200 microliters, but did not affect basal steroid secretion by collagenase-dispersed adrenocortical cells at any concentration used, from 10 pmol/l to 10 mumol/l. The presence of VIP (100 nmol/l) had no significant effect on the response of zona glomerulosa cells to stimulation by ACTH at any concentration. In incubations of intact adrenal capsular tissue, VIP (10 mumol/l) caused a significant stimulation of aldosterone secretion, and also induced a significant release of adrenaline into the incubation medium. Addition of (-)alprenolol (100 nmol/l), a beta-adrenergic antagonist, to the incubation medium significantly attenuated the response of capsular tissue to VIP. It is concluded that the effects of VIP on aldosterone, which are only seen when the architecture of the zona glomerulosa is preserved, may be mediated by the local release of adrenaline.     

Specific effects of agonists of the calcium messenger system on secretion of 'late-pathway' steroid products by intact tissue and dispersed cells of the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa

Recent data have implicated the phosphatidylinositol/calcium second-messenger system in the control of aldosterone secretion by the adrenal zona glomerulosa. However, in the rat adrenal there are few reports of a direct effect of protein kinase C activation on steroid secretion, while the effects of calcium mobilization may be variable. Since the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa is sensitive to the mode of tissue preparation, these mechanisms were reinvestigated in intact (non-dispersed) capsular tissue and collagenase-dispersed zona glomerulosa cells. Steroidogenesis in the intact zona glomerulosa was markedly affected by agonists of the calcium messenger system. Most notably, aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OH-B) secretion were stimulated by A23187 (100 nmol to 10 mumols/l) and BAY K 8644 (500 nmol/l). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA; 1 pmol to 1 mumol/l) stimulated aldosterone secretion at all doses and caused a dose-dependent increase in 18-OH-B and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) secretion. Corticosterone secretion was slightly increased in the presence of A23187 but not by TPA or BAY K 8644. Production of 18-OH-DOC was unaffected by A23187 and BAY K 8644. The calcium channel antagonist verapamil (10 mumols/l) inhibited ACTH-stimulated aldosterone secretion by the intact zona glomerulosa but had no effect on corticosterone secretion. Verapamil (10 mumols/l) also inhibited the increase in aldosterone secretion by collagenase-dispersed zona glomerulosa cells stimulated by ACTH (100 fmol to 100 nmol/l), angiotensin II (100 pmol to 10 nmol/l) and potassium (5.9 and 8.4 mmol/l); stimulated corticosterone secretion was unaffected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The actions of N-terminal fragments of corticotrophin on steroidogenesis in dispersed rat adrenal cells in vitro

The finding that the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cell shows specific sensitivity to stimulation by alpha-MSH and related peptides has been confirmed both in vivo and in vitro, raising the possibility that alpha-MSH may have a physiological role in the control of glomerulosa function and aldosterone secretion. To define more closely the structural features which confer teh specificity of the glomerulosa response, other ACTH derived peptides have been tested for their specificity of actions on rat adrenal cells in vitro. The peptides tested were ACTH(5-24), ACTH(1-12), ACTH(1-14), ACTH(1-15), ACTH(1-16) and ACTH(1-17). Their actions were compared with those of alpha-MSH and ACTH(1-24). All of the ACTH-derived peptides stimulated glomerulosa corticosterone production with sensitivities similar to that of alpha-MSH; minimum effective concentration was 10 nmol/l. Also, like alpha-MSH, the shorter ACTH peptides stimulated aldosterone production only relatively weakly in these cells from animals on normal sodium intake. Only ACTH(5-24), ACTH(1-16) and ACTH(1-17) stimulated fasciculata/reticularis cells at concentrations up to 1 mumol/1. The actions of all of the shorter peptides were thus unlike those of ACTH(1-24) which stimulates both cell types with approximately equal sensitivity, and which furthermore strongly stimulates aldosterone production. The data suggest that the 18-24 region of the ACTH molecule contains the signal for a fasciculata/reticularis response, and the region 1-13 that for glomerulosa specificity. They confirm the view that, in the rat, alpha-MSH itself may be the specific pituitary glomerulosa-stimulating agent which much experimental work has predicted. They also indicate that synthetic ACTH(1-17) analogues should be used with caution.     

Properties of rat adrenal zona reticularis cells: production and stimulation of certain steroids.

The outputs of corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone and androstenedione from dispersed, purified rat adrenal zona reticularis and zona fasciculata cells have been measured by radioimmunoassay. Preferential production of deoxycorticosterone by zona reticularis cells was demonstrated by their higher basal deoxycorticosterone : corticosterone ratio when compared with zona fasciculata cells. Adrencorticotrophin (ACTH) stimulated corticosterone output by all cell pools prepared by unit gravity (1 g) sedimentation, zona fasciculata cells being stimulated 130-fold compared with 20-fold for the zona reticularis cells in relation to their basal corticosterone output. In every cell pool, ACTH stimulated the output corticosterone more than it stimulated the output of deoxycorticosterone. In parallel cell preparations, it was shown that ACTH increased the conversion of tracer amounts of radioactive deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone and decreased the conversion of radioactive corticosterone to 11-dehydrocorticosterone. Adrenocorticotrophin did not increase the conversion of radioactive deoxycorticosterone to total 11-oxygenated steroids (corticosterone + 11-dehydrocorticosterone). It is unlikely therefore that ACTH stimulates 11 beta-hydroxylation. Data indicate that the ratio of deoxycorticosterone to total 11-oxygenated steroids (corticosterone + 11-dehydrocorticosterone) is characteristic for each cell type, and that this ratio will be relatively independent of ACTH stimulation or the amount of pregnenolone substrate available. Basal androstenedione outputs were similar for both types of cell, and ACTH stimulation was very small, being slightly greater for zona fasciculata than for zona reticularis cells. The contribution of the zona reticularis cells to the basal output of any steroid by the cells of the inner two zones of the adrenal cortex of the rat was relatively small (20% for deoxycorticosterone and 10% for corticosterone) and was even less after stimulation by ACTH. Unless a specific stimulus can be found, therefore, a significant role for the zona reticularis cannot yet be established.     

Control of steroidogenesis by the calcium messenger system in human adrenocortical cells

The involvement of the calcium messenger system in the control of steroidogenesis in the rat and bovine adrenal cortex has been studied extensively. However the role of these second messengers in the control of human adrenocortical function is not established. This was therefore studied by incubating collagenase-dispersed human adrenocortical cells with the calcium ionophore A23187 and the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA). The effects of the calcium channel blocker verapamil on basal and stimulated steroidogenesis were also studied. Both TPA (1 pmol/l-10 mumol/l) and A23187 (1 nmol/l-10 mumol/l) caused a dose-dependent increase in cortisol, aldosterone and corticosterone production. Verapamil (10 mumol/l) inhibited the increase in aldosterone, corticosterone and cortisol produced in response to ACTH(1-24), potassium, and desacetyl-alpha MSH. Unlike previous results in the rat, these effects were not specific for aldosterone secretion. The results suggest that, as in other species, calcium mobilization and protein kinase C activation have a role in the control of steroidogenesis in the human adrenal cortex. However, in contrast to the rat, these mechanisms appear to be involved in the control of steroidogenesis in both the zona glomerulosa and inner zone cells.     

Adrenocorticotropin increases interleukin-6 release from rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced by adrenal zona glomerulosa cells; its release is stimulated by several secretagogues, including IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and angiotensin II. The present study reports that ACTH (0.1-100 nM) increased the release of IL-6 from primary cultures of rat adrenal cells in a concentration-dependent manner. This increase was accompanied by an increase in cAMP content in cell extracts and in the incubation medium. The dynamics of IL-6 release from the adrenal cells also were investigated using a perifusion system; approximately 50 min were required for the effects of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and ACTH on IL-6 release to become apparent. Following withdrawal of the secretagogues, IL-6 release returned to basal levels within 90-120 min. In some experiments, the adrenal zona glomerulosa was separated from the zona fasciculata/reticularis to determine the origin of secretagogue-stimulated IL-6 release. PGE2 and forskolin increased IL-6 release from both cell types, but maximal release from zona glomerulosa cells was more than 10-fold greater than that from zona fasciculata/reticularis cells. ACTH (0.1-100 nM) increased intracellular cAMP levels in cells from both cell types in a concentration-dependent manner, but increased IL-6 release only from zona glomerulosa cells. Dexamethasone, an inhibitor of IL-6 production in several tissues, had no effect on either basal or stimulated IL-6 production in the adrenal. Because IL-1 beta is produced primarily by tissues of the immune system, whereas ACTH is a classical endocrine hormone, we investigated the effect of interaction of these proteins on IL-6 release from the adrenal. Together, IL-1 beta and ACTH stimulation of IL-6 release was greater than the sum of the effects of each substance separately; however, IL-1 beta did not potentiate the effect of ACTH on cAMP levels. Similarly, IL-1 beta potentiated IL-6 release stimulated by forskolin and (Bu)2cAMP. Thus, the adrenal may be an important convergence point between the immune and endocrine systems, and because IL-6 release is regulated by IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, ACTH, and angiotensin II, and this cytokine stimulates corticosterone release, IL-6 may play an important paracrine role in integrating the signals derived from these systems.     

Lipoxygenase products as common intermediates in cyclic AMP-dependent and -independent adrenal steroidogenesis in rats

Aldosterone secretion from adrenal glomerulosa cells can be stimulated by angiotensin II (AII), extracellular potassium and ACTH. Mitochondria from these cells respond to intracellular factors generated by AII (cyclic AMP (cAMP)-independent steroidogenesis) and ACTH (cAMP-dependent steroidogenesis), suggesting that the two-signal-transduction mechanisms are linked by a common intermediate. We have evaluated this hypothesis by stimulating mitochondria from the unstimulated zona glomerulosa with a subcellular post-mitochondrial fraction (PMF) obtained from the zona glomerulosa after stimulation with AII or from the fasciculata gland after stimulation with ACTH; the subcellular fractions were also tested on mitochondria from fasciculata cells. PMFs obtained after incubation of adrenal zona glomerulosa with or without AII (0.1 microM) or ACTH (0.1 nM) were able to increase net progesterone synthesis 4.5-fold in mitochondria isolated from unstimulated rat zona glomerulosa. AII-pretreated PMFs from the zona glomerulosa also stimulated steroidogenesis by mitochondria from zona fasciculata cells. Separate experiments showed that inhibitors of arachidonic acid release and metabolism (bromophenacyl bromide, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, caffeic acid or esculetin) blocked corticosterone production in fasciculata cells stimulated with ACTH, suggesting that arachidonic acid could be the common intermediate in the actions of AII and ACTH on steroid synthesis. Evidence to support this concept was obtained from experiments in which the formation of an activated PMF by treatment of zona fasciculata with ACTH was blocked by the presence of the same inhibitors. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of these substances on PMF activation by ACTH were overcome by exogenous arachidonic acid and, in addition, arachidonic acid release was stimulated by ACTH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of adrenocorticotrophin on cortisol and androstenedione secretion from dispersed cells of guinea-pig adrenal zonae fasciculata and reticularis

We have studied cortisol and androstenedione secretion by dispersed cells of the outer zona fasciculata (ZF) plus zona glomerulosa, and the inner zona reticularis (ZR) plus medulla of the guinea-pig adrenal. The ZF and ZR were microdissected apart, the cells dispersed and incubated (200 000 cells/ml) for 90 min in the presence of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH; 500 ng/l), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP; 1 mmol/l), pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol and 21-deoxycortisol. The steroid concentrations were 5-25 mumol/l. Cortisol secretion was assayed by radioimmunoassay. There was no detectable cortisol secretion (less than 50 nmol/l) from the ZR in the controls (no additive) or after dbcAMP stimulation. Adrenocorticotrophin-stimulated cortisol secretion was also low (range less than 50-340 nmol/l). In contrast the ZF secreted 177-379 (control), 828-2052 (dbcAMP) and 2863-9735 (ACTH) nmol cortisol/l. There was no detectable (i.e. less than 2 nmol/l) cAMP production by ZR or ZF either basally (no ACTH) or after ACTH stimulation (500 ng/l). Challenge of the ZR cells with each cortisol precursor steroid (5 mumol/l) increased (P less than 0.05) cortisol secretion over that seen with the corresponding basal and ACTH-stimulated controls. Thus pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol and 21-deoxycortisol (converted directly to cortisol by 21-hydroxylase) gave rise to (mean +/- S.D., n = 4) 406 +/- 86, 680 +/- 180, 1307 +/- 111, 1141 +/- 234 and 3160 +/- 419 nmol cortisol/l respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Actions of desacetyl-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on human adrenocortical cells

The responses of human adrenocortical cells to stimulation by ACTH(1-24), desacetyl-alpha-MSH, alpha-MSH and angiotensin II amide have been compared. Both desacetyl-alpha-MSH, thought to be the major form of the peptide in the human pituitary and in circulating plasma, and alpha-MSH caused a significant stimulation of aldosterone, corticosterone and cortisol secretion. Significant stimulation of the production of these steroids was obtained with desacetyl-alpha-MSH at a concentration of 1 nmol/l, while the response to alpha-MSH was considerably less sensitive, with a minimum effective concentration of 0.1 mumol/l. These values compared with minimum effective concentrations of 1 pmol/l for ACTH and 0.1 mumol/l for angiotensin II amide. Although cell types were not separated, it is possible to conclude that none of the peptides showed any specificity for the zona glomerulosa, and in each case the same minimum effective concentration of peptide was required for both aldosterone and cortisol secretion. Yields of steroid obtained under conditions of maximal stimulation by ACTH(1-24), alpha-MSH and desacetyl-alpha-MSH were at least three to five times the basal output of aldosterone, four to eight times that for corticosterone and more than seven to sixteen times that for cortisol. Angiotensin II amide was a relatively poor stimulant with maximal stimulation only 1.5 x basal. In these experiments the minimum effective concentration for desacetyl-alpha-MSH (1 nmol/l) was close to the circulating concentration of desacetyl-alpha-MSH (0.3 nmol/l) in man, and it is thus possible that this peptide may have a physiological role in the control of adrenocortical function.     

Cyclic AMP levels in purified rat adrenal zonae fasciculata and reticularis cells and the effect of adrenocorticotrophic hormone

Cyclic AMP levels were measured in combined cells and supernatant fraction from incubations of dispersed rat adrenal zona fasciculata and zona reticularis cell preparations purified by unit gravity sedimentation. These measurements were correlated with deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and corticosterone outputs from the cells in the presence or absence of ACTH. Similar measurements of cyclic AMP outputs were made for unpurified dispersed, decapsulated rat adrenal cell preparations and they were found to correspond to previously reported measurements made by other workers on such preparations. The response of the purest zona reticularis cells to ACTH in terms of cyclic AMP output was 28-fold lower than that of the purest zona fasciculata cells (compared with a fivefold lower DOC output and a 20-fold lower corticosterone output) and the response to ACTH of the mixed-cell preparations was related to the number of zona fasciculata cells in the preparation, i.e. the greater the proportion of zona fasciculata cells in the preparation the greater the response in terms of both outputs of cyclic AMP and of either of the two steroids measured. This correlation is in accordance with the theory that cyclic AMP may be the secondary messenger for both zona fasciculata and zona reticularis cells of the rat adrenal cortex in mediating the response to an ACTH stimulus.     

Effects of prolonged cyclosporine-A treatment on the morphology and function of rat adrenal cortex

The effects of prolonged (30 day) treatment with daily therapeutical doses of cyclosporine A (CSA) (20 mg/kg) on the function and morphology of adrenal cortex were studied in adult male rats. CSA-treated animals developed a notable hypertension, along with a striking rise in PRA, which was not coupled with significant changes in the plasma concentrations of aldosterone and corticosterone (hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism). Morphometry showed that zona glomerulosa (ZG) and zona fasciculata, and their parenchymal cells were atrophic. Isolated capsular (ZG) and inner (zona fasciculata/reticularis) cells displayed reduced basal and stimulated secretory responses. However, while the response of ZG cells to angiotensin II was almost completely suppressed (96%), basal steroid secretion of isolated cells, as well as the aldosterone and corticosterone response of ZG cells to potassium and ACTH, and corticosterone production of inner cells in response to ACTH were decreased by only about 30-40%. The hypothesis is advanced that CSA exerts a dual effect on rat adrenal cortex: 1) a general inhibitory effect on the growth and steroidogenic capacity of adrenocortical cells, which manifests itself only after very prolonged treatment and may be caused by an impairment of protein synthesis; and 2) an acute effect involving the specific blockade of the angiotensin-II-induced stimulation of the secretory activity of ZG cells.     

Biosynthetic ad morphological evidence for inhibition of aldosterone production following administration of ACTH to sheep

The effect of ACTH administration for 1-5 days on the morphology and steroidogenic capability of sheep adrenal tissue has been examined. During this period of treatment there was a gradual decline in the in vitro conversion of 3H-labelled precursors to products of solely zona glomerulosa origin (aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone) while conversion to products of zona fasciculata origin (17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol and cortisol) was stimulated throughout. Conversion to DOC, 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone and corticosterone (steroids produced by both the zona glomerulosa and the zona fasciculata) declined after initial stimulation. Within 2--3 days of the commencement of treatment, the zona glomerulosa showed a progressive decrease in cell number associated with disruption of cords and cell separation. Ultrastructurally, it was found that typical zona glomerulosa cells had almost disappeared. The majority of residual cells in this area had a structure intermediate between zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata cells. The similarity in time-course of the alterations in both the morphological and biosynthetic characteristics suggests that the decline in aldosterone output caused by ACTH administration to sheep results from the loss of adrenal zona glomerulosa cells, predominantly due to selective cellular degeneration.     

Participation of voltage-dependent calcium channels in the regulation of adrenal glomerulosa function by angiotensin II and potassium

The stimulation of aldosterone secretion from adrenal glomerulosa cells by angiotensin II (AII), potassium, and ACTH is highly dependent on the extracellular calcium concentration. To evaluate the role of voltage-dependent calcium channels in aldosterone production, we analyzed the actions and binding of calcium channel antagonists in collagenase-dispersed adrenal glomerulosa cells and membrane-rich particles. In rat glomerulosa cells, nifedipine caused dose-dependent inhibition of the aldosterone responses to AII and potassium, with half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 100 nM, but had no effect on ACTH or 8-bromo-cAMP stimulated steroidogenesis in adrenal glomerulosa and fasciculata cells. Binding studies with [3H]nitrendipine in adrenal glomerulosa cells revealed a high affinity site with dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.4 +/- 0.1 nM, similar to that described in other tissues but about 100-fold lower than the IC50 for blockade of aldosterone production. However, Scatchard analysis of binding data from three of seven experiments in isolated adrenal glomerulosa cells revealed a low affinity site with Kd of 130 nM, in agreement with the IC50 for the effect of nifedipine on aldosterone production. In rat adrenal particles, nitrendipine-binding sites were located in the adrenal capsule and medulla and were undetectable in the zona fasciculata. Furthermore, there was a close correlation (r = 0.92) between the concentrations of nitrendipine-binding sites and AII receptors in the different zones of the adrenal in rat, dog, and cow, suggesting a functional relationship between AII receptors and calcium channels. These studies have shown a major and selective role of voltage-dependent calcium channels in the control of aldosterone secretion by the major physiological regulators, AII and potassium.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulates adrenal aldosterone and corticosterone secretion

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers have been demonstrated in the rat adrenal cortex in close association with zona glomerulosa cells, suggesting neural regulation of adrenocortical cell function (5). The present studies were undertaken to study the possible role of VIP in the regulation of steroid hormone secretion from the outer zones of the normal rat adrenal cortex. Capsule-glomerulosa preparations, consisting of the capsule, zona glomerulosa, and a small but variable portion of the zona fasciculata, were perifused in vitro. To assess the secretory responsiveness of the capsule-glomerulosa preparation, aldosterone and corticosterone release were measured after stimulation with ACTH and angiotensin II. ACTH (10(-12)-10(-8) M) stimulated dose-dependent increases in aldosterone secretion (1.9- to 36.9-fold increases over basal values) and corticosterone secretion (1.4- to 14.0-fold increases over basal values). Angiotensin II (10(-8)-10(-5) M) stimulated dose-dependent increases in aldosterone secretion (1.6- to 8.8-fold increases over basal values). VIP (10(-6)-10(-4) M) stimulated dose-dependent increases in both aldosterone (1.7- to 41.0-fold) and corticosterone secretion (1.8- to 5.3-fold). However, glucagon and (N-Ac-Tyr1-D-Phe2)GRF-(1-29)NH2, peptides structurally related to VIP, stimulated neither aldosterone nor corticosterone secretion, indicating that VIP effects are likely to be specific for this peptide. It is noteworthy that in this preparation, the stimulation of corticosteroid secretion by VIP at 10(-5) and 10(-4) M was comparable to those by 10(-6) M angiotensin II and 10(-9) M ACTH, respectively. These results support the hypothesis that the VIP innervation of the adrenal cortex may contribute directly to the regulation of adrenal steroidogenesis.     

Differential suppression of the outer and inner zones of the adrenal cortex of the guinea pig

To examine the regulation of the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis of the guinea pig adrenal cortex, animals were placed on a chronic regimen of dexamethasone. Changes in adrenal zonal weight, cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity, and tissue and serum steroid concentrations were measured after 1 month of dexamethasone administration. With dexamethasone treatment, the weight of the outer zone (glomerulosa/fasciculata) decreased significantly, while the weight of the inner zone (reticularis) did not change. Cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity in mitochondria isolated from the outer zone also declined significantly, while a similar activity in the inner zone did not change. The serum cortisol concentration in response to dexamethasone administration decreased by 85%, as did the concentrations of cortisol and progesterone in the outer zone; the concentration of cortisol in the inner zone decreased by only one third, while the concentration of progesterone did not change. These results in association with previous reports indicate that the zona reticularis of the guinea pig adrenal cortex (in contrast to the zona fasciculata) is not regulated by ACTH in terms of either steroidogenesis or maintenance of cell growth.     

The 21-hydroxylase activity in the glomerulosa and fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in congenital adrenal hyperplasia

In the two clinical syndromes of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to a 21-hydroxylation defect of adrenal steroidogenesis, the simple virilizing and the salt-wasting forms, the 21-hydroxylase activity was studied considering the zona fasciculata and the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex as two separate glands under different regulation. To test this hypothesis, we stimulated adrenal steroidogenesis by ACTH infusion or dietary sodium restriction in eight patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (four patients with the simple virilizing form and four with the salt-wasting form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia) and in six normal children. Both the 17-hydroxy and 17-deoxy pathways of adrenocortical steroid biosynthesis were examined by measuring serum concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, progesterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, and aldosterone and the excretion of free deoxycorticosterone, 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone, cortisol, and aldosterone. We considered the steroids 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone to be primarily of zona glomerulosa origin. These studies indicated that the zona fasciculata of both the salt-wasting and the simple virilizing forms is defective in 21-hydroxylation of 17-hydroxy and 17-deoxy steroids. The zona glomerulosa demonstrated deficient 21-hydroxylation only in the salt-wasting form, whereas in the simple virilizing form, the glomerulosa was spared this defect.     

Specific receptor-mediated inhibition by synthetic atrial natriuretic factor of hormone-stimulated steroidogenesis in cultured bovine adrenal cells

The effect of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on adrenal steroidogenesis has been studied in primary culture of bovine adrenal cells. ANF-(8-33) produced a potent 40-70% inhibition of angiotensin II-, ACTH-, PGE1-, and forskolin-stimulated secretion of aldosterone production from zona glomerulosa cells with an ED50 of 120 pM. An equipotent inhibitory effect of the natriuretic factor on cortisol production was also observed in cultured zona fasciculata cells. Nicotine-stimulated secretion of catecholamines from medullary cells was only slightly inhibited by the factor at doses above 10 nM. [125I]iodo-ANF-(8-33) binding to glomerulosa membranes displayed an apparent affinity of 100-150 pM for specific receptor sites and was not inhibited by angiotensin II or ACTH. Conversely, the natriuretic factor had no affinity for angiotensin II receptor sites. The results demonstrate that part of the natriuretic effect of this new factor might be due to inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis by action through a distinct receptor.     

Hormone-sensitive lipase deficiency in mice causes lipid storage in the adrenal cortex and impaired corticosterone response to corticotropin stimulation

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL, E.C.3.1.1.3, gene designation Lipe) is reportedly the major cholesteryl esterase of adrenal cortex. Because of the potential importance of cholesteryl ester hydrolysis in steroidogenesis, gene-targeted HSL-deficient mice were assessed for adrenal cortical morphology and function. Compared with control animals, HSL deficiency results in a marked accumulation of lipid droplets both in zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata. In the zona fasciculata, lipid accumulation was observed progressively from the outer to the inner regions, culminating near the corticomedullary junction with the formation of syncytial-lipoid structures having the appearance of degenerative cells. These morphological changes did not significantly alter the basal levels of circulating corticosterone, but following ACTH stimulation, corticosterone levels were decreased (P < 0.001). The observation of normal basal corticosterone and aldosterone levels demonstrates that some free cholesterol for steroid synthesis can be produced independently of HSL. Taken together, these results indicate that HSL-deficient mice accumulate lipid droplets in such a way as to impair acute ACTH stimulation of corticosterone secretion. Such observations are also found in some forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. By extension, HSL deficiency may be a cause of hereditary adrenocortical hypofunction in humans.     

Evidence that growth hormone depletion and uncoupling of the regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase (Ns) both contribute to the desensitization of growth hormone responses to growth hormone-releasing factor

Recent data suggest that the response of GH to GH-releasing factor (GRF) is reduced following prior exposure to high concentrations of GRF. However, it is unknown whether this is due to alterations in GRF receptors, adenylate cyclase activity or the size of a GRF-releasable storage pool of GH. In order to clarify these questions we have compared the effects of pretreatment with GRF (10 nmol/l every 2 h for 12 h) with those of pretreatment with somatostatin (SRIF; 1 mumol/l), forskolin (10 mumol/l) and GRF plus SRIF (10 nmol/l and 1 mumol/l added together) on the subsequent responses of GH to GRF (1 pmol/l-10 nmol/l), cholera toxin (10 nmol/l), 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (IBMX) (100 mumol/l) and forskolin (10 mumol/l). Experiments were performed on 4-day monolayer cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells. The cells were pretreated with test substances every 2 h for 12 h and incubated with GRF or forskolin for 3 h. Per cent maximal (Bmax) GH responses to GRF (10 nmol/l) were reduced after pretreatment with both GRF (control, 173% of basal; GRF, 25% of basal; P less than 0.001) and forskolin (98% of basal; P less than 0.001), but were increased after pretreatment with SRIF (246% of basal; P less than 0.02). However, GH responses after pretreatment with GRF plus SRIF were not significantly different from those of the control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)