title: Ultrastructural changes in rat adrenocortical cells produced by a 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine (4-APP) dosage.
abstract: The relation between adrenal cholesterol synthesis and ultrastructural changes was studied in rat adrenal glands stimulated by 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine (4-APP). Ultrastructural observations were focused on the inner fasciculata-reticularis (Zone I) and the outer fasciculata (Zone O) of the adrenal glands. Zone I in 4-APP-treated rat adrenals had increased tubules and vesicles in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial enlargement and the accumulated osmiophilic lipid droplets. In contrast, Zone O of the 4-APP-treated rat adrenals showed a decrease in osmiophilic lipid droplets and no increase in any of the elements of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. These results are strong evidence that under 4-APP treatment cholesterol synthesis takes place in the increased smooth endoplasmic reticulum in Zone I cells. The functional status of the cells of the inner and outer zones of the adrenal cortex also is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; C004420:4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine; D000225:Adenine