Long term effects of the hypocholesterolaemic drug 4-aminopyrazolo-pyrimidine on the zona fasciculata of the rat adrenal cortex.
Prolonged 4-APP administration to dexamethasone/ACTH-treated rats was found to lower both plasma and intra-adrenal gland cholesterol concentrations. Morphological examination showed that zona fasciculata cells underwent a severe lipid droplet depletion, and a conspicuous increase of agranular endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes. The blood level of corticosterone remained unchanged. A high cholesterol diet completely reversed the effects of 4-APP treatment. The hypothesis is discussed that these morphological changes are the expression of a compensatory response enabling rat adrenocortical cells to maintain an adequate level of hormone output even in the absence of a normal supply of exogenous cholesterol.
Department of Anatomy, University of Padua, Italy.
G
G
Mazzocchi
C
C
Robba
V
V
Meneghelli
G G
GG
Nussdorfer
D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; C004420:4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine; D002784:Cholesterol; D000225:Adenine