title: Effects of bombesin on the morphology and function of the rat adrenal cortex: comparison of the acute and chronic responses.
abstract: The acute and chronic effects of bombesin (BM) on the structure and function of rat adrenal cortex were investigated by morphometric and radioimmunological techniques. An intraperitoneal bolus injection of 2 micrograms/rat BM markedly raised plasma corticosterone (B) concentration (PBC). The intraperitoneal BM infusion (1 microgram/rat.h-1) for 1, 2 or 4 days evoked a notable increase in the number of adrenocortical cells, without inducing apparent changes in either PBC or B output by adrenal quarters. Since proliferation and expression of specialized functions are mutually exclusive states of cells, our findings suggest that the conspicuous stimulation of adrenocortical-cell proliferation evoked by BM infusion may be responsible for the apparent lack of effect of this treatment on B secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Malendowicz
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Nussdorfer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Miskowiak
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majchrzak
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001839:Bombesin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001839:Bombesin; D003345:Corticosterone