title: Glucocorticoids and catecholamines as mediators of acute-phase proteins, especially rat alpha-macrofoetoprotein.
abstract: Adrenal hormones were studied as possible triggering substances of the synthesis of acute-phase reactants in rats. alpha-Macrofoetoprotein, which rises sharply in concentration during inflammation, was used to monitor the acute-phase reaction. In normal rats glucocorticoids and catecholamines induce alpha-macrofoetoprotein synthesis; glucocorticoids only increase alpha-macrofoetoprotein to moderate levels in plasma, but catecholamines enhance alpha-macrofoetoprotein synthesis to very high levels, comparable with those observed in the post-injury phase. However, catecholamines in vivo also activate the adrenal cortex, suggesting a synergistic effect of both kinds of adrenal hormones. Our study showed that in adrenalectomized rats, the effect of catecholamines on alpha-macrofoetoprotein synthesis is greatly diminished, whereas the moderate effect of glucocorticoids remains. Combination of glucocorticoids and catecholamines induces extremely high alpha-macrofoetoprotein levels in both adrenalectomized and normal rats. With crossed immunoelectrophoresis it was shown that other acute-phase reactants, such as haptoglobin and alpha 1-major acute-phase protein, are affected differently by the hormones. Contrary to glucocorticoids, catecholamines give a pattern comparable with that found after surgical injury.
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000097:blood; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000097:blood*; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001798:Blood Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine