[Effects of triptolide-medicated serum on secretion function of adrenocortical cells isolated from rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of triptolide-medicated serum on secretory function of adrenocortical cells isolated from rats.


METHODS
Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into control group, prednisone group, and low-, medium- and high-dose triptolide groups. Rats were administered with normal saline, prednisone and low-, medium- and high-dose triptolide respectively by gastrogavage to prepare sera containing drugs. Primary adrenocortical cells were isolated from normal male rats and cultured with sera containing drug for 48 hours. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was observed by immunohistochemical method and number of PCNA-positive cells was counted. Ultrastructure of adrenocortical cells was observed under a transmission electron microscope. Content of corticosterone in supernatant of adrenocortical cell culture was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to investigate the expression of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) mRNA.


RESULTS
As compared with the control group, content of corticosterone in supernatant of adrenocortical cell culture and expression of 3beta-HSD mRNA were significantly increased in the triptolide-treated groups, and the numbers of PCNA-positive cells were increased in the medium- and high-dose triptolide groups, however, they were decreased in the prednisone group.


CONCLUSIONS
Triptolide-medicated serum can increase the secretion of corticosterone in rat adrenocortical cells in vitro.
Mao
Wen-Jie
WJ
Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Chen
Long
L
Yang
Chun-Xin
CX
Yao
Ming-Hui
MH
Zhao
Zi-Qin
ZQ
Shen
Yi-Wen
YW
Zhou
Yue-Qin
YQ
Xue
Ai-Min
AM
Xu
Hong-Mei
HM
Zhang
Ming-Chang
MC
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D044967:Serum
D004224:Diterpenes; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C001899:triptolide; D003345:Corticosterone