Increased cytochrome oxidase activity in adrenal glands of thioacetamide-cirrhotic rats.
OBJECTIVE
Cytochrome oxidase activity has been determined in the adrenal glands of thioacetamide (TAA)-cirrhotic rats.


METHODS
Two groups of animals (Control group; n=10 and TAA group; n=11) of three months evolution were used to study the cytochrome oxidase activity in the suprarenal cortex (glomerular, fascicular and reticular layers) and medulla. TAA was administered orally and cytochrome oxidase (COX) activity was assayed by an immunohistochemical technique.


RESULTS
In TAA-cirrhotic rats, COX activity increases in the cortex fascicular layer (221 +/- 1.79 vs 181.9 +/- 2.75; p<0.001) as well as in the medulla (146.6 +/- 1.72 vs 129 +/- 3.09; p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results make it possible to consider the existence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis and adrenomedullary sympathetic system hyperactivity, both peripheral limbs of the stress system, in this experimental model of cirrhosis.
Méndez-López
Magdalena
M
Psychobiology Department, School of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
Méndez
Marta
M
López
Laudino
L
Aller
Maria-Angeles
MA
González-Pardo
Héctor
H
Nava
María-Paz
MP
Sánchez-Patán
Fernando
F
Arias
Jaime
J
Arias
Jorge-Luis
JL
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000201:enzymology*; D000818:Animals; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D017082:Portal Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013853:Thioacetamide
D013853:Thioacetamide; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV