The ultrastructure of the adrenal zona glomerulosa of rats on patassium-supplemented or sodium-depleted diets.
Ultrastructural changes in the mitochondria and other organelles in zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal cortex were noted in rats maintained for up to 8 days on a potassium-enriched or a sodium-deficient diet. In both groups of animals, aldosterone production is known to be increased. Principal ultrastructural changes in the rats maintained on a potassium-supplemented or a sodium-deficient diet consisted of a loss of electron density of the mitochondrial matrix and a change from plate-like cristae to tubular-vesicular cristae. These changes were similar in both potassium-enriched and sodium-depleted animals after 8 days and were markedly different from control animals. Morphologic changes occurred after the initial increase in aldosterone production, which has been measured in 1 to 2 days in both sodium-depleted and potassium-enriched rats. The mitochondrial changes described are probably related to the persistent increased active steroid synthesis.
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum; D006056:Golgi Apparatus; D008055:Lipids; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D008055:Lipids; D000450:Aldosterone; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium