title: Natural adrenocorticosteroids do not restore resistance to endotoxin in the adrenalectomized mouse.
abstract: Chronic loss of adrenocorticosteroid activity by adrenalectomy (10 days) or acute inhibition of glucocorticoid receptor function by injection of an anti-progestin (RU-38486) increased sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide about 200-fold, compared to that of control animals. Daily subcutaneous injection of a mixture of the natural glucocorticoid corticosterone and the mineralocorticoid deoxycorticosterone did not restore resistance to the endotoxin. The largest dose of steroid, 400 micrograms corticosterone + 200 micrograms deoxycorticosterone, provided only partial protection against 20 micrograms LPS, which was 10% of the LD50 for animals with adrenals. The mechanisms involved in lack of effectiveness of natural corticosteroids will require further experimentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7338.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silverstein
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hannah
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003345:Corticosterone