title: Effects of glucagon, Arg-vasopressin, and angiotensin II on rat hepatic zinc thionein levels.
abstract: Rat hepatic zinc thionein levels can be modulated by a variety of external and internal stimuli. Metals, such as zinc or copper, induce levels 20 to 50 fold over controls. Catecholamines can increase levels 10 to 20 fold, while glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone, can increase levels modestly by 2-6 fold. We have investigated the ability of additional hormones, which have receptors on hepatocytes, to modulate the levels of hepatic zinc thionein. Glucagon, angiotensin II, and Arg-vasopressin were administered intravenously and intraperitoneally, one time and three times, over an 11 hour period. Zinc thionein levels in rat liver were increased 1.7 to 5.6 fold by glucagon and 1.7 to 3.6 fold by angiotensin II, but not at all by Arg-vasopressin, as compared to appropriate controls. Glucagon and angiotensin II, when administered in vivo, can modulate zinc thionein levels in rat liver to an extent similar to glucocorticoids. Hepatic zinc thionein levels must now be recognized to be affected in vivo by metals, glucocorticoids, catecholamines, and polypeptide hormones.
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002724:Chlorobutanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005934:Glucagon / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C021267:zinc thionein; D000804:Angiotensin II; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005934:Glucagon; D008668:Metallothionein; D002724:Chlorobutanol; D015032:Zinc; D004837:Epinephrine