Spectrum of adrenal lesions on fine needle aspiration cytology.

Background: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of adrenal gland is not a commonly performed technique and is limited primarily to tertiary care centers. However, it is a sensitive and specific procedure in the workup of patients with adrenal gland's mass lesions. Though cytomorphological features for various lesions have been described, there are a limited number of studies in cytologic literature. Aims: We report our 7 years of experience in FNAC of adrenal lesions. We have not only described the cytomorphological details of different lesions, but also tried to discuss the various diagnostic difficulties encountered during reporting of adrenal fine needle aspirations. Materials and Methods: All ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspirations of adrenal gland received in the department between the years 2002 and 2009 were reviewed. There were a total of 52 FNA samples of adrenal masses from 35 patients in 7 years. The lesions were categorized as non-neoplastic and neoplastic categories. Neoplastic lesions were further divided into benign and malignant lesions. Results: In our study, FNA proved to be 100% specific for diagnosing malignant lesions. The overall inadequacy rate was 11.4% with no major complications of the procedure. A wide variety of non-neoplastic as well as neoplastic lesions were identified.

A connection between extracellular matrix and hormonal signals during the development of the human fetal adrenal gland

The human adrenal cortex, involved in adaptive responses to stress, body homeostasis and secondary sexual characters, emerges from a tightly regulated development of a zone-specific secretion pattern during fetal life. Its development during fetal life is critical for the well being of pregnancy, the initiation of delivery, and even for an adequate adaptation to extra-uterine life. As early as from the sixth week of pregnancy, the fetal adrenal gland is characterized by a highly proliferative zone at the periphery, a concentric migration accompanied by cell differentiation (cortisol secretion) and apoptosis in the central androgen-secreting fetal zone. After birth, a strong reorganization occurs in the adrenal gland so that it better fulfills the newborn's needs, with aldosterone production in the external zona glomerulosa, cortisol secretion in the zona fasciculata and androgens in the central zona reticularis. In addition to the major hormonal stimuli provided by angiotensin II and adrenocorticotropin, we have tested for some years the hypotheses that such plasticity may be under the control of the extracellular matrix. A growing number of data have been harvested during the last years, in particular about extracellular matrix expression and its putative role in the development of the human adrenal cortex. Laminin, collagen and fibronectin have been shown to play important roles not only in the plasticity of the adrenal cortex, but also in cell responsiveness to hormones, thus clarifying some of the unexplained observations that used to feed controversies.

Age related changes in the rat adrenal gland during prenatal period; [study-1]

Adrenals are complex and important glands of dual character in mammals. The growth of the rat adrenal gland is relatively slower than the general body growth. To observe the age related changes in the adrenal gland of the albino rat during prenatal period. SETTING: Albino rats used were obtained from Animal House of BMSI, JPMC, Karachi. Twenty four fetuses of 15,17,19 and 21 days of gestation were used by dividing into four groups [A to D] each composing 6 fetuses. METHODS: Right adrenals were dissected free, fixed and then stained with 1% toluidine blue solution to study under light microscope. Were dissected free, fixed and then stained with 1% toluidine blue solution to study under light microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The adrenals showed continuous growth throughout the study. The pancenchymal zonation of cortex started on 15th day and developed on 21st day. In all the cortical zones, the predominance of desk cells over the light cells was observed irrespective of age group studied. The mitotic activity was maximum at the time of birth in both the zones of cortex. The lipid globules in the cortex started developing on 21st day. The medulla appeared distinctly on the 19th day. Both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers were observed in between the cortical cells traversing the whole thickness of cortex from capsule to the medulla

Circadian stage-dependent effect of acth and melatonin on protein synthesis by rat adrenal cells

The objective of the study was to determine the circadian effects of melatonin and two different ACTH preparations: a synthetic heptadecapeptide with adrenocorticotrophic action (synchrodyn 1-17, HOE 433) and a natural ACTH (Acthar, Armour). Both ACTH preparations acted in a circadian stage-dependent fashion affecting the MESOR and the amplitude of total protein synthesis of rat adrenal cells. The results also indicated interaction of melatonin with the rhythmic action of ACTH. We conclude that circadian adrenocortical organization also modulates protein synthesis