[Characteristization of the human microencapsulated adrenal cortex tissue in long-term culture].

Microencapsulated human adrenal cortex tissue preserves the ability to secrete 11-oxycorticosteroids for 51 days of cultivation, and to react adequately in responses to stimulation with adrenocorticotrophin and inhibition with chloditane, suggesting good prospects of the use of this tissue for compensation of the hypofunctional state of adrenocorticotropin system in experimental animals.

[Neurohumoral mechanisms of the rat heart adaptation to overload].

The present study confirms involvement of the sympathicoadrenal system in adaptation of heart to overload. Besides, at formation of chronic heart failure (CHF) there have been revealed a rise of the histamine and serotonin levels in blood plasma and myocardium as well as glucocorticoid hyperactivation.

[Effect of 17beta-estradiol on content of cyclic nucleotides and protein kinases A and C activity in human adrenal cortex].

The influence of 17beta-estradiol on cAMP and cGMP levels, protein kinases A and C activityand corticosteroids secretion was investigated in postoperative human adrenal cortex tissue. cAMP accumulation in adrenocorticocytes increased uiider the influence of 17beta-estradiol. In vitro estradiol raised the activities of protein kinases A and C in membrane fraction of adrenal cortex tissue. Significant increasing of steroidogenesis was observed. These data support our conclusion that cAMP dependent siganling system is involved in activation of steroidogenesis by 17beta-estradiol.

[Effect of the perturbed geomagnetic field on the metabolism of the rat connective tissue during heat exposure].

The biochemical data of the researches of the perturbed geomagnetic field influence on the metabolism of the rat's connective tissue by the heating are presented. The possibility of adrenal glands reaction modification under using the perturbed geomagnetic field after high temperature is shown.

The excretion rates of stress hormones under mental work.

The aim of the study was to assess stress on the basis of the excretion rates of stress hormones in occupational groups under mental stress. The investigation includes 293 persons, working in power engineering, education, public health and information sector. The stress hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and 11-oxycorticosteroids (11-OCS) were followed during the working day using spectrofluorimetric methods. Very high excretion rates of adrenaline, noradrenaline and/or 11-OCS were found with leading radio editors, responsible engineers and operators in nuclear power station (NPS), teachers in secondary schools, designing engineers. In conclusion our data indicate high stress in occupational groups working under high psychological demands, high responsibility, making important managing decisions, low job control and are discussed with regard to the health risk.

Incorporation of labelled N-acylethanolamine (NAE) into rat brain regions in vivo and adaptive properties of saturated NAE under x-ray irradiation.

Regional distribution of exogenous N-palmitoylethanolamine in the rat brain was investigated in the study. Possible protective and adaptive effect of N-stearoylethanolamine under 2 Gy whole-body X-irradiation and changes of brain lipid composition were also studied. It was found that after per os administration to rats N-([9,10-3H]-palmitoyl)-ethanolamine was primarily accumulated in hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands and the label amount in brain was 0.95% of the oral dose. Quantities of palmitic acid in total brain phospholipids and plasmalogen form of phosphatidylcholine were increased; free cholesterol and diacyl form of phosphatidylcholine were decreased in 2 weeks after irradiation. 11-OH-corticosteroid level in the blood of exposed rats was decreased in comparison with control animals. N-stearoylethanolamine pre-treatment prevented from increasing the plasmalogen form of phosphatidylcholine and decreasing its diacyl form and restored 11-OH-corticosteroid level in the blood of irradiated rats. Recovering of brain free cholesterol level was observed when N-stearoylethanolamine was post-treated. So, the accumulation of N-([9,10-3H]-palmitoyl)ethanolamine in brain indicates its penetration through blood-brain barrier and suggests the possible role of saturated N-acylethanolamines in brain functioning, particularly, in stress response regulation of the organism by hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal system. N-stearoylethanolamine treatment of irradiated rats causes protective effect concerning the of irradiation induced changes in the brain lipid composition and in 11-OH-corticosteroid level and modifies phospholipid fatty acid composition.

[An ACTH-like peptide immunocortin: effect on the activity of cells from the rat adrenal cortex]. / Vliianie AKTG-podobnogo peptida immunokortina na aktivnost' kletok kory nadpochechnikov krysy.

The effect of immunocortin, an ACTH-like decapeptide VKKPGSSVKV corresponding to the 11-20 sequence of the variable part of the human IgG1 heavy chain on the content of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids (CS) in rat adrenal glands and blood serum in vivo was studied. An intramuscular injection of immunocortin at a dose of 10 microg/kg was found in an hour to induce a twofold decrease in CS content in the adrenal glands and a 1.8-fold increase in the blood serum CS content. At the same time, an immunocortin dose of 100 microg/kg exerted practically no effect on the CS content and its dose of 1000 microg/kg increased the CS content both in adrenal glands and in blood serum by 1.6 and 2.2 times, respectively. Four hours after the injection of any of the three doses of immunocortin, the CS content in adrenal glands did not differ from the control value, and after 24 h the content decreased threefold. Immunocortin was shown to be bound by the ACTH receptors in the membranes of the rat adrenal cortex with a high affinity and specificity (inhibiting the specific binding of 125I-labeled ACTH-(11-24) peptide with Ki of 1.2 nM).

Elucidation and characteristics of non-opioid beta-endorphin receptors in rat adrenal cortex.

beta-Endorphin-like decapeptide immunorphin (SLTCLVKGFY), a selective agonist of non-opioid beta-endorphin receptor, was labeled with tritium to specific activity of 24 Ci/mmol. It was used for the detection and characterization of non-opioid beta-endorphin receptors on rat adrenal cortex membranes (Kd1 = 39.6 +/- 2.0 nM, Bmax1 = 40.7 +/- 2.3 pmol/mg protein; Kd2 = 0.25 +/- 0.01 micro M, Bmax2 = 187.8 +/- 9.4 pmol/mg protein). beta-Endorphin was found to inhibit the [3H]immunorphin specific binding to membranes (Ki = 70.0 +/- 9.2 nM); naloxone, [Met5]enkephalin, and alpha- and gamma-endorphins tested in parallel were inactive. Immunorphin at concentrations of 10(-9)-10(-6) M was found to inhibit the adenylate cyclase activity in adrenocortical membranes, while intramuscular injection of immunorphin at doses of 10-100 micro g/kg was found to reduce the secretion of 11-oxycorticosteroids from the adrenals to the bloodstream.

Synthetic peptide immunocortin stimulates the production of 11-oxycorticosteroides by rat adrenal cortex through ACTH receptors.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-like peptide immunocortin (IMC) VKKPGSSVKV, corresponding to the amino acid sequence 11-20 of the variable part of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) 1 heavy chain, at concentrations of 10(-9)-10(-6) I was found to increase the adenylate cyclase activity in adrenal cortex membranes, while intramuscular injection of immunocortin at doses of 10-100 microg/kg was found to stimulate the secretion of 11-oxycorticosteroids (CS) from the adrenals to the bloodstream. Immunocortin was labeled with tritium to specific activity of 22 Ci/mmol. Receptor binding studies revealed that [(3)H]immunocortin ([(3)H]IMC) bound with high affinity and specificity to ACTH receptors on rat adrenal cortex membranes (K(d)=2.1+/-0.2 nM, B(max)=1.1+/-0.1 pmol/mg protein).

[Modification of the effect of high temperature on biochemical processes by perturbed geomagnetic field]. / Modifikatsiia vliianiia povyshennoi temperatury okruzhaiushchei sredy na biokhimicheskie protsessy s pomoshch'iu iskazhennogo geomagnitnogo polia.

The biochemical data on the influence of perturbed geomagnetic field on the hormonal-mediator regulation systems are presented. The possibility of biological effects modification under combined action of perturbed geomagnetic field and high temperature of environment is discussed.

Characterization of the receptor mediating the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the frog adrenal gland.

We have recently reported the presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing nerve fibers in the frog adrenal gland and we have shown that CGRP is a potent stimulator of corticosterone and aldosterone secretion by adrenocortical cells. The aim of the present study was to characterize the type of receptors mediating the effect of CGRP in the frog adrenal gland. Amylin and adrenomedullin, two members of the CGRP family, induced a weak stimulation of corticosterone and aldosterone secretion from perifused frog adrenal slices. In contrast, salmon and human calcitonin had no effect on corticosteroid secretion. Administration of the type-1 CGRP receptor antagonists human CGRP-(8-37) and human CGRP-(19-37) did not significantly affect the secretory response induced by frog CGRP. Concurrently, the type-2 CGRP receptor agonist [acetamidomethyl-Cys2,7]human CGRP ([Cys(ACM)2,7]human CGRP) provoked a dose-dependent stimulation of corticosterone and aldosterone secretion (EC50 = 1.6 x 10(-7) M). Both frog CGRP and [Cys(ACM)2,7]human CGRP induced a significant increase in cAMP production by frog adrenal tissue. These data indicate that, in the frog adrenal gland, the stimulatory effect of CGRP is mediated through activation of a type-2 CGRP receptor positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase.

Glucocorticoid metabolism in the cardiac interstitium: 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in cardiac fibroblasts.

The interstitial fibrosis seen in the heart and systemic organs in states of primary or secondary mineralocorticoid excess suggests that fibroblasts are responsive to mineralocorticoid. In vitro studies demonstrating increased fibroblast collagen synthesis in response to MC are consonant with this view. The nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate(+)-dependent enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase converts the glucocorticoids corticosterone and cortisol to the inactive metabolites 11-dehydrocorticosterone and cortisone, respectively, conferring mineralocorticoid specificity to the cells within which it is active. We investigated the presence of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in sonicates of cultured vascular endothelial cells and cardiac fibroblasts by incubating sonicates for 1 hour in the presence of 5 x 10(-9) mol/L tritiated corticosterone or tritiated cortisol (1 microCi) and using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to an on-line radioisotope detector for steroid separation and quantitation. Extracts of bovine endothelial cells showed no enzymatic activity with either substrate, whereas extracts of rat cardiac fibroblasts readily converted corticosterone to 11-dehydrocorticosterone, even in the absence of exogenous nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate+ (10% conversion). When 5 x 10(-4) mol/L nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate+ was added to sonicated fibroblasts, conversion increased to 50%, corresponding to 12 pmol 11-dehydrocorticosterone formed/mg protein. Conversion of cortisol to cortisone was not observed in fibroblast or endothelial cell extracts. Significant levels of corticosterone to 11-dehydrocorticosterone conversion (0.14 pmol/10(6) cells/hour) were detected in intact fibroblasts, but no 11-dehydrogenation of corticosterone was observed in intact endothelial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effect of hyperparathyroidism on the function of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical system in unilaterally adrenalectomized rats]. / Vliianie giperparatireoza na funktsional'noe sostoianie gipotalamo-gipofizarno-adrenokortikal'noi sistemy odnostoronne adrenaléktomirovannykh krys.

Hyperparathyroidism was shown to activate the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical system (HHACS) in rats, intensifying the compensatory adrenal hypertrophy in unilaterally adrenalectomised rats, rising the level of 11-oxycorticosteroids in their plasma and adrenal gland, activating the production of corticoliberin in hypothalamus and corticotrophin in hypophysis. The HHACS activity was the highest in 3-month-old rats.

[Corticoid secretion and patho-histological changes in the adrenal glands in hypertension]. / Sekretsiia kortikoidov i patogistologicheskie izmeneniia v nadpochechnikakh pri gipertonicheskoi bolezni.

Hydrocortisone, 11-hydroxycorticosteroids and aldosterone were measured in 74 patients with a history of surgery on the sympathoadrenal system for stable essential hypertension. Morphologic structure of the sympathetic ganglia of the celiac plexus and adrenals removed during surgery was under study. The studies have revealed a relationship between pathohistologic changes in operation material and adrenocortical functional activity. The authors suggest a possibility of a relationship between morphofunctional changes in the adrenals and sympathetic ganglia, and enhanced nervous system efferent effects with the progress of the disease.

[The effect of a one-time, continous administration of a stressor (alcohol) on the secretory activity of the glomerular and fascicular zone of the adrenal cortex]. / Jednokratni, kontinuirani uticaj stresora (alkohola) na sekretornu aktivnost zone glomerulosa i fascikulata kore nadbubrezne zlezde.

In the aim of establishing what kind of mechanisms of steroidogenesis stimulation are put into motion in healthy males by a one-term, continual stressor influence, research was carried out concerning the influence of alcohol on the concentration of 11-OHCS and DHA in the plasma of healthy males after alcoholic stress (0.3 g/kg of body weight), by physical strain then by alcohol, with infusions of ACTH and infusions of niamide then alcohol. After a one-term alcohol stress and after physical strain followed by alcohol stress two maximums are observed during the change of 11-OHCS and DHA concentrations: in the 15th and 120th minute of stress application, while in the 60th and 240th minute the values range in the limits of basal concentrations. During the course of niamide infusions, the concentrations of 11-OHCS decrease and their increase does not occur even after subsequent stress by alcohol. In each stress test, the changes of 11-OHCS concentrations are gradual and continual. It is considered that the H-H-C system reaction to the continual stress influence develops in two phases, and first there comes to an activation of the serotoninergic system of the CNS. It is assumed that the serotoninergic system of the CNS essentially influences the function of the H-H-C system, but not the basal activity as well.

[Effect of Ca2+- and K+-channel blockers on ACTH-stimulated steroidogenesis of isolated adrenal glands of adult and old rats]. / Vliianie blokatorov Ca2+- i K+-kanalov na AKTG-stimulirovannyi steroidogenez izolirovannykh nadpochechnikov vzroslykh i starykh krys.

Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil (0.2 mM) and K+ channel blocker 2-aminopyridine (1.0 mM; 5.0 mM and 10.0 mM) have been studied for their effect on ACTH-stimulated steroidogenesis in isolated adrenal glands (IAG) of the adult (6-7 months) and old (26-28 months) male rats. The administration of verapamil produced a similar, about 2-fold decrease in ACTH-stimulated secretion of 11-OCS in the IAG of both animal groups. 2-aminopyridine, administered in several concentrations, produced no effect whatsoever on ACTH-stimulated secretion of 11-OCS in the IAG of the old rats. However, when administered in concentrations of 5.0 mM and 10.0 mM this agent decreased significantly the ACTH-stimulated steroidogenesis in the IAG of the adult animals. It has been suggested that plasma membrane permeability of z. fasciculata adrenocorticocytes to K+ ions decreases with age.

[Effects of increased doses of ultraviolet radiation on several parameters of human metabolism]. / Vliianie povyshennykh doz ul'trafioletovoi radiatsii na nekotorye pokazateli obmena veshchestv cheloveka.

Three experimental series, in which 20 test subjects took part, were carried out to investigate the effect of super-erythemic doses of ultraviolet irradiation on metabolic parameters. It was found that UV irradiation of 12-15% of the skin area led not only to skin changes but also to functional changes in certain organs and systems, which was indicated by variations of metabolic parameters.

[Status of the pituitary-adrenal system and biogenic amine levels after extensive resection of the intestines]. / Sostoianie gipofizarno-adrenalovoi sistemy i soderzhanie biogennykh aminov posle obshirnykh rezektsii kishechnika.

A clinico-experimental investigations for the determination of contents of serotonin, histamine, 11-OCS and ACTH in blood as well as excretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline after extensive resection of the intestine are described. It was shown that the dynamics of contents of biologically active substances in the blood depended on the level of resection and terms after operation. Extensive resection of the intestine is followed by inhibition of the sympatho-adrenal system resulting in reduction of noradrenaline in blood and its excretion with increased excretion of adrenaline.