Light and electron microscopic study of the effect of experimentally-induced colitis on the adrenal gland of albino rats

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to investigate adrenal changes in chemically-induced colitis in rats. Twelve adult male albino rats were used for the present study. The animals were allocated into two groups. Animals of control group received a single intracolonic instillation of 0.8 ml of normal saline for each rat while those of colitis group received 0.8 ml of 4% acetic acid for each rat. After seven days, all animals were sacrificed and the adrenal glands were dissected and processed for histological, immunocytochemical and electron microscopic examinations. The results showed light and electron microscopic changes in the adrenal glands of animals with colitis. Many adrenocortical cells showed abnormal large cytoplasmic vacuoles, representing large extracted lipid droplets. Many medullary chromaffin cells revealed obvious cellular damage and marked depletion of secretory granules. These changes could be attributed to the effect of certain inflammatory cytokines on the adrenal gland. The results of this study provide evidence to support the hypothesis that an excessive stress, such as prolonged inflammatory stress, may contribute to the development of obvious lesions in the adrenal gland