title: Calcitonin gene-related peptide depresses the growth and secretory activity of rat adrenal zona glomerulosa.
abstract: The bolus ip. injection of rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (5 pm. kg-1) significantly lowered plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) in rats, despite a mild rise in plasma renin activity. Natremia, kalaemia and the blood levels of ACTH or corticosterone were not affected. Similar results were obtained after prolonged (5 days) sc. infusion of rats with CGRP (1 pm. kg-1. h-1). Moreover, CGRP infusion caused a notable atrophy of the zona glomerulosa (ZG) and its parenchymal cells, as well as a clearcut reduction in the surge of PAC evoked by a bolus injection of a high dose of angiotensin-II (100 micrograms. kg-1). From these results it is suggested that CGRP exerts an inhibitory effect on the growth and secretory activity of ZG in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazzocchi
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Malendowicz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Meneghelli
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Nussdorfer
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D015384:Zona Glomerulosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D012964:Sodium; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D011188:Potassium; D003345:Corticosterone