title: Morphofunctional characteristics of ACTH cells in middle-aged male rats after treatment with genistein.
abstract: The soybean phytoestrogen, genistein, is increasingly consumed as an alternative therapeutic for age-related diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the morphofunctional characteristics of adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH) cells and blood concentrations of ACTH in sham-operated, orchidectomized and genistein-treated orchidectomized, 16-month-old Wistar male rats. Genistein (10 mg/kg/day) was administered subcutaneously for three weeks, while the control groups received the vehicle alone. Orchidectomy and genistein treatment decreased the volume density of ACTH cells and reduced (p < 0.05) circulating ACTH concentrations in comparison with control groups. In conclusion, genistein modulated the morphofunctional features of ACTH cells and decreased blood ACTH levels.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stanković", 142 Despot Stefan Blvd., 11060 Belgrade, Serbia. dimi@ibiss.bg.ac.yu
authors.forename: Verica Lj
authors.initials: VLj
authors.lastname: Milosević
authors.forename: Vladimir Z
authors.initials: VZ
authors.lastname: Ajdzanović
authors.forename: Branka T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Sosić-Jurjević
authors.forename: Branko R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Filipović
authors.forename: Marjana P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Brkić
authors.forename: Natasa M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Nestorović
authors.forename: Milka I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Sekulić
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000375:Aging; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D052680:Corticotrophs / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D009929:Organ Size; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D019833:Genistein