Biomaterial Database

Role of the adrenal cortex and medulla in the young rats' glucoregulatory response to endotoxin. 1995

L Witek-Janusek, and M R Yelich

Department of Maternal Child Nursing, Loyola University, Chicago, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.

The importance of the adrenal gland in the 10 day old (10 d) rats' glucoregulatory response to endotoxin (ETX) was investigated. Plasma glucose, lactate, and liver glycogen were measured at 0, 2, 3, and 4 h after ETX to 10 d adrenalectomized (ADRNX), adrenal demedullated (MEDX), and sham-operated (SHAM) rats. At 24 h after ETX, mortality in the ADRNX group was a striking 86% compared with 34% and 36% in intact and SHAM groups, respectively. Mortality in MEDX rats (47%) did not differ from control groups. Although MEDX exacerbated hypoglycemia at 3 and 4 h after ETX (p < or = .05), ADRNX produced severe hypoglycemia by 2 h after ETX. Lactacidemia occurred earlier and was greater in ADRNX rats than in MEDX and SHAM rats. Unlike MEDX, ADRNX significantly decreased liver glycogen and ETX rapidly depleted the remaining glycogen by 2 h after injection. These results demonstrate the greater importance of the adrenal cortex relative to the adrenal medulla in the 10 d rats' defense against ETX-induced hypoglycemia, hyperlactacidemia, and lethality.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007773	Lactates	Salts or esters of LACTIC ACID containing the general formula CH3CHOHCOOR.
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D001786	Blood Glucose	Glucose in blood.	Blood Sugar,Glucose, Blood,Sugar, Blood
D004731	Endotoxins	Toxins closely associated with the living cytoplasm or cell wall of certain microorganisms, which do not readily diffuse into the culture medium, but are released upon lysis of the cells.	Endotoxin
D005947	Glucose	A primary source of energy for living organisms. It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state. It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement.	Dextrose,Anhydrous Dextrose,D-Glucose,Glucose Monohydrate,Glucose, (DL)-Isomer,Glucose, (alpha-D)-Isomer,Glucose, (beta-D)-Isomer,D Glucose,Dextrose, Anhydrous,Monohydrate, Glucose
D006003	Glycogen
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
D000313	Adrenal Medulla	The inner portion of the adrenal gland. Derived from ECTODERM, adrenal medulla consists mainly of CHROMAFFIN CELLS that produces and stores a number of NEUROTRANSMITTERS, mainly adrenaline (EPINEPHRINE) and NOREPINEPHRINE. The activity of the adrenal medulla is regulated by the SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Adrenal Medullas,Medulla, Adrenal,Medullas, Adrenal
D000315	Adrenalectomy	Excision of one or both adrenal glands. (From Dorland, 28th ed)	Adrenalectomies
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia