title: [Effects of triptolide-medicated serum on secretion function of adrenocortical cells isolated from rats].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Jie
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Long
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chun-Xin
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ming-Hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Zi-Qin
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yi-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Yue-Qin
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ai-Min
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Hong-Mei
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ming-Chang
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004224:Diterpenes; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C001899:triptolide; D003345:Corticosterone