Horm Metab Res 1977; 9(6): 469-473
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1093502
Originals

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Abnormal Regulation of Adrenal Function in Rats with Streptozotocin Diabetes

A. F. De Nicola [*] , O.  Fridman [**] , E. J. Del Castillo , V. G. Foglia [*]
  • Laboratorio de Esteroides, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Obligado 2490, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 December 2008 (online)

Abstract

The factors that control adrenal steroid secretion and metabolism were investigated in rats made diabetic with Streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and used one month after treatment. Diabetic animals possessed high resting levels of plasma corticosterone accompanied by adrenal hypertrophy; the showed an increased response to the stress of i.p. cold water injection. Moreover, the pituitaries of diabetic rats seemed to be releasing ACTH continuously and not storing it. Upon adrenal inhibition with Aminoglutethimide the expected increase in adrenal cholesterol and weight was of a smaller magnitude than in controls. The activity of liver enzymes that reduce ring A of corticosterone showed decreased activity in diabetics, which suggests that more corticosterone rather than its inactive metabolites were available to -but not able to suppress - the steroid feedback sites. The half-life of corticosterone in blood was similar in diabetics and controls.

These results suggest that (a) diabetic animals were in a chronic stress condition; (b) the threshold for steroid feedback was less sensitive to variations in plasma corticosterone; (c) there is an abnormal peripheral disposal of corticosterone, but that other factors, besides the liver, regulate the clearance of the hormone from the circulation in the diabetic animals.

1 Career Investigator, National Research Council of Argentina

2 Post-doctoral Fellow, National Research Council of Argentina.