title: Alpha-interferon induces cortisol release by human adrenals in vitro.
abstract: It is at present not clear whether alpha interferon (INF-alpha) can participate in the control of glucocorticoid blood levels through direct action on the adrenal gland. In this study, the possible action of INF-alpha on cortisol release by adrenal tissue was tested in vitro. Slices of normal human adrenals were incubated with INF-alpha for 3 h at 37 degrees C in 95% air and 5% CO2. Cortisol release by adrenal tissue was stimulated by INF-alpha, showing a dose-response curve from 20 IU/ml, the lowest dose that gave a response, to a maximal dose of 60 IU/ml when the response reached a plateau. The effect of INF-alpha on cortisol liberation by adrenal tissue in vitro may be implied in neuroimmune regulatory interactions.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arzt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coumroglon
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Andrada
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Andrada
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D006854:Hydrocortisone