title: Characterization of the rat adrenal medulla cultured in vitro.
abstract: A wide variety of experimental animal models have been used to investigate the mechanisms of synthesis, storage, and release of catecholamines. Whereas in vivo experimental models are situated at one end of the spectrum, cell culture models are situated at the other end. In the present study, we have characterized various aspects of the rat adrenal medulla cultured in vitro as a whole tissue, aiming to establish a new experimental model in between in vivo animal models and cell culture models. We adapted a bottle rotator system commonly used for culturing rodent whole embryos. Changes in histology, activities and mRNA levels of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, and concentrations of catecholamines in the adrenal medulla were studied. In addition, the effects of cholinergic stimulation on catecholamine release from the adrenal medulla were examined. Overall the results indicate that various aspects of the adrenal medulla become stable after 4 d of culture and the adrenal medulla at this stage releases catecholamines in response to cholinergic stimulation. The whole adrenal medulla culture system may be a useful tool for investigating catecholamine-related functions dependent on intercellular reactions or communications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujinaga
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018679:Cholinergic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D002395:Catecholamines; D018679:Cholinergic Agonists; D003470:Culture Media; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003907:Dexamethasone; D002217:Carbachol; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine