Biomaterial Database

Effects of heavy metals on corticosteroid production in cultured rat adrenocortical cells. 1985

S Nishiyama, and K Nakamura, and M Ogawa

Application of 10(-4) M Zn, 10(-5) M Ba, 10(-6) M Se, 10(-6) M Cd, 10(-6) M Hg, and 10(-6) M Mn did not affect the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-induced steroid production in cultured adrenocortical cells. The application of 10(-5) M Pb significantly reduced the ACTH-induced steroid production in cultured cells. However, Pb did not reduce the steroidogenesis induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Dbc-AMP), suggesting that the plasma membrane is the site where Pb interferes with steroid production. The morphological changes induced by the addition of ACTH or Dbc-AMP plus the test metals were similar to those induced by ACTH or Dbc-AMP alone.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007854	Lead	A soft, grayish metal with poisonous salts; atomic number 82, atomic weight 207.2, symbol Pb.
D008345	Manganese	A trace element with atomic symbol Mn, atomic number 25, and atomic weight 54.94. It is concentrated in cell mitochondria, mostly in the pituitary gland, liver, pancreas, kidney, and bone, influences the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides, stimulates hepatic synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids, and is a cofactor in many enzymes, including arginase and alkaline phosphatase in the liver. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual 1992, p2035)
D008628	Mercury	A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to MERCURY POISONING. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing.
D008670	Metals	Electropositive chemical elements characterized by ductility, malleability, luster, and conductance of heat and electricity. They can replace the hydrogen of an acid and form bases with hydroxyl radicals. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Metal
D002104	Cadmium	An element with atomic symbol Cd, atomic number 48, and atomic weight 112.41. It is a metal and ingestion will lead to CADMIUM POISONING.
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D003994	Bucladesine	A cyclic nucleotide derivative that mimics the action of endogenous CYCLIC AMP and is capable of permeating the cell membrane. It has vasodilator properties and is used as a cardiac stimulant. (From Merck Index, 11th ed)	Dibutyryl Adenosine-3',5'-Monophosphate,Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP,(But)(2) cAMP,Bucladesine, Barium (1:1) Salt,Bucladesine, Disodium Salt,Bucladesine, Monosodium Salt,Bucladesine, Sodium Salt,DBcAMP,Dibutyryl Adenosine 3,5 Monophosphate,N',O'-Dibutyryl-cAMP,N(6),0(2')-Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP,AMP, Dibutyryl Cyclic,Adenosine-3',5'-Monophosphate, Dibutyryl,Cyclic AMP, Dibutyryl,Dibutyryl Adenosine 3',5' Monophosphate,Disodium Salt Bucladesine,Monosodium Salt Bucladesine,N',O' Dibutyryl cAMP,Sodium Salt Bucladesine
D000302	Adrenal Cortex	The outer layer of the adrenal gland. It is derived from MESODERM and comprised of three zones (outer ZONA GLOMERULOSA, middle ZONA FASCICULATA, and inner ZONA RETICULARIS) with each producing various steroids preferentially, such as ALDOSTERONE; HYDROCORTISONE; DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE; and ANDROSTENEDIONE. Adrenal cortex function is regulated by pituitary ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN.	Cortex, Adrenal
D000305	Adrenal Cortex Hormones	HORMONES produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX, including both steroid and peptide hormones. The major hormones produced are HYDROCORTISONE and ALDOSTERONE.	Adrenal Cortex Hormone,Corticoid,Corticoids,Corticosteroid,Corticosteroids,Cortex Hormone, Adrenal,Hormone, Adrenal Cortex,Hormones, Adrenal Cortex
D000324	Adrenocorticotropic Hormone	An anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the ADRENAL CORTEX and its production of CORTICOSTEROIDS. ACTH is a 39-amino acid polypeptide of which the N-terminal 24-amino acid segment is identical in all species and contains the adrenocorticotrophic activity. Upon further tissue-specific processing, ACTH can yield ALPHA-MSH and corticotrophin-like intermediate lobe peptide (CLIP).	ACTH,Adrenocorticotropin,Corticotropin,1-39 ACTH,ACTH (1-39),Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone,Corticotrophin,Corticotrophin (1-39),Corticotropin (1-39),Hormone, Adrenocorticotrophic,Hormone, Adrenocorticotropic