Long-term trophic action of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on the zona glomerulosa of the rat adrenal cortex.
The effects of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) on the rat adrenal cortex were investigated by coupled morphometric and radioimmunological techniques. Short-term alpha-MSH administration provoked a significant increase in the aldosterone plasma level along with a notable lipid droplet depletion in zona glomerulosa cells. Long-term alpha-MSH treatment induced a notable hypertrophy of zona glomerulosa cells and a further rise in the blood concentration of aldosterone. alpha-MSH did not affect zona fasciculata morphology and corticosterone plasma level. The possibility is discussed that alpha-MSH may be specifically involved in the control of the growth and steroidogenic capacity of rat adrenal zona glomerulosa.
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
D000450:Aldosterone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D003345:Corticosterone