Subcellular steroid distribution in the rat adrenal cortex

Summary The subcellular distribution of main steroids (pregnenolone, progesterone, corticosterone) and of cholesterol — this last after correction according to exchanges occuring during differential centrifugation — is presented in the rat adrenal cortex. The distribution patterns are not necessarly the same as established according to the localization of hydroxylating enzymes.This work was carried out under contract of the Ministère de la Politique Scientifique within the framework of the Association: Euratom, University of Brussels, University of Pise and also thanks to a grant of the Caisse Générale d'Epargne et de Retraite.     

Some metabolic changes occurring in skeletal and heart muscles of guinea pigs treated with tetanus toxin

Riassunto Gli Autori hanno studiato il metabolismo ossidativo e le frazioni fosforilate dell'omogenato di muscolo e di cuore in cavie normali e in cavie trattate con tossina tetanica. Nel muscolo tetanizzato si produce una forte diminuzione di ATP, insieme con un forte aumento di AMP e con un lieve aumento di ADP. La fosforilazione ossidativa è normale, la succinossidasi, la d-aminoacidossidasi e la citocromossidasi non subiscono modificazioni, la ATPasi dell'omogenato totale e quella mitocondriale non presentano differenze significative dal normale, ma la ATPasi presente nelle miofibrille è fortemente aumentata. Anche il contenuto di acidi ribo- e desossiribonucleinico è diminuito. Gli autori concludono che la diminuzione dell'ATP è dovuta ad una aumentata demolizione piuttosto che ad una diminuita sintesi.     

Giant granules in adrenaline-secreting chromaffin cells of lizard adrenal glands after metyrapone administration

Summary Secretory granules of extraordinary size, some of them bigger than the cell nucleus, abound in the adrenaline cells of lizard adrenals after metyrapone injections during 7 days. In these granules, the bounding membrane is studded with ribosomes, and the core is formed by rounded small subunits. Some granules of this type are also found in noradrenaline cells. They may represent an exceptionally increased elaboration and storage of adrenaline, induced by metyrapone probably through its action on steroidogenic tissue.This research forms part of project No. 31.26.S1-1154 supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científícas y Tecnológicas.     

Differentiation in vitro of chick embryo adrenal glands

Resumen Suprarrenales de embriones de pollo de 6 y 10 días de incubación, fueron cultivadas en medios con y sin el agregado de ACTH. Los cultivos fueron mantenidos por períodos de 6–12 días. Los explantos fueron estudiados con técnicas histoquímicas para lípidos y ésteres de colesterol. Las suprarrenales de embriones de 6 días acumulan lípidos y colesterol solamente cuando son cultivadas en medios con ACTH. Luego de 12 días de cultivo la mayoría de las suprarrenales de los embriones de 10 días pierden su contenido de lípidos si han sido cultivadas en un medio privado de ACTH. El agregado de la hormona previene esa péridida. Se discuten las implicancias fisiológicas de estos hallazgos.     

Delay in skin allograft rejection in rats grafted with fetal adrenal glands

Resumen Se ha observado en este trabajo que el injerto de suprarrenales de fetos en ratas de 6 días de edad determina aumento del tiempo de supervivencia de aloinjertos de piel realizados al 10° día de vida en relación a los testigos y a ratas injertadas con suprarrenales de adulto. Un efecto similar se observó cuando se administró diariamente a partir del 6° día de vida 16-metil prednisona en dosis altas que producían gran trastorno del crecimiento, evidente disminución de peso del timo y en algunos casos muerte del animal.

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Fellow of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Centificas y Técnicas (Argentina).     

Subcellular distribution of catecholamines and enzymes in human neuroblastoma

Résumé Dans 18 cas de neuroblastome humain la noradrénaline (NA) et la dopamine--hydroxylase présentent des profils de distribution intracellulaire identiques, suggérant un stockage dans la même particule. Le contenu en NA de ces particules n'est pas inférieur à celui des particules du nerf splénique; on peut en conclure qu'un stockage défectueux de NA dans les cas de neuroblastome est peu probable.

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The authors are grateful to Prof.F. Derom (Surgical Clinic, University of Ghent Medical School), Prof.R. Eeckels and Prof.E. Eggermont (Paediatric Clinic, University of Leuven Medical School), Prof.A. Lacquet and Prof.J. Gruwez (Surgical Clinic, University of Leuven Medical School), Dr.G. Delalieux, Dr.F. Delange, Dr.P. De Mol, Dr.R. Denis, Dr.R. Maurus and Dr.J. Otten (Paediatric Clinic, University of Brussels Medical School) and Dr.W. Mattheiem (Surgical Clinic, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels) for making the tumors available to them.     

Plasma, testicular, and adrenal cortex levels of androgens in the perinatal period and determination of neonatal hypertestosteronemia in guinea pigs]

The perinatal period is characterized in the male faetus and new-born Guinea-Pig by a prenatal increase in testis testosterone and by a neonatal peak in plasma testosterone. This transient rise in plasma testosterone is testis dependent and light dependent at birth.     

Autoradiographic localization of3H-angiotensin II in rat adrenal glands

Summary Autoradiographic studies of rat adrenal gland approximately 1 min after intra-aortic injection of³H-angiotensin II show that radioactivity concentrates in the zona glomerulosa. This concentration is reduced by concomitant administration of excess unlabelled angiotensin II.