Summary
Biochemical and ultrastructural studies indicate that the atrophy of adrenal cortex in hypoyhysectomized rats involves the following changes: (1) One to two days after hypophysectomy, there is loss of “template activity” resulting from cumulative DNA-damage and heterochromatinization.In vivo ACTH-administration led to recuperation of these cells, indicating damage during hypophysectomized state to be reversible. (2) If the duration of hypophysectomy is prolonged, some of the cells become irreversibly damaged and can no longer recuperate afterin vivo ACTH administration. (3) The period of most rapid cell death is from the third to seventh day after hypophysectomy. The cause of cell death is probably due to membrane damage in the absence of protein synthesis, leading to lysis of the cells. Lysozomes and macrophages are apparently not involved.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Garren, L. D., Gill, G. N., Masui, H. and Walton, G. M., 1971. Rec. Proger. Hormone Res. 27, 433–478.
Mahaffe, D., Reitz, D. C. and Ney, R. I., 1974. J. Biol. Chem. 249, 227–238.
Rhodin, J. A. G., 1971. J. Ultrastructural Res. 34, 23–71.
Nickerson, P. A. and Brownie, A. C., 1975. Endocrinologia Experimentalis 9, 187–196.
Kimura, T., 1969. Endocrinology 85, 492–499.
Tait, S. A. S., Tait, J. F., Okamoto, M. and Flood, C., 1967. Endocrinology 81, 1213–1225.
Mathews, E. K. and Saffran, M., 1967. J. Physiol. 189, 149–161.
Mostafapour, M. K. and Tchen, T. T., 1972. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 48, 491–495.
Beansome, E. D., Jr., 1969. Endocrinology 85, 1114–1128.
Shin, S-i. and Sato, H., 1971. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 45, 501–507.
Kafatos, F. C. and Gelinas, R., 1974. MTP International Rev. of Sci. Biochem. Series One, 9, 223–264.
Farese, R. V., 1971. Endocrin. 89, 958–962.
Mostafapour, M. K., 1972. Dissertation, Wane State University.
Kuo, T. H. and Tchen, T. T., 1973. J. Biol. Chem. 248. 6679–6683.
Mostafapour, M. K. and Tchen, T. T., 1971. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 4, 774–778.
Mostafapour, M. K. and Tchen, T. T., 1973. J. Biol. Chem. 248, 6674–6678.
Chan, S. W., 1975. Dissertation, Wayne State University.
Idelman, I., 1970. Int. Rev. Cytol. 27, 181–281.
Canick, J. A. and Purvis, J. L. 1972. Exp. Mol. Pathol. 26, 79–93.
Dickens, R. L. and Long, J. A., 1974. Anatomical Rec. 178, 344.
Nussdorfer, G. G. and Mazzochi, G., 1973. Lab. Invest. 28, 332–342.
Karnovsky, M. L. and Dean, H. W., 1955. J. Histochem. Chtochem. 3, 85–102.
Long, C. N. N., Rec. Progr. Hormone Res. 1, 99–122.
Sekiyama, S., Yago, N., Iwai, Y., Kurokawa, Y., Sato, T. and Shiragai, A., 1971. Endocrin. Japan 18, 365–369.
Nussdorfer, G. G. and Mazzochi, G., 1972. Lab. Invest. 26, 45–52.
Nussdorfer, G. G., Mazzochi, G. and Rebanto, L., 1971. Z. Zellforsch. 115, 30–45.
Kwan, P. W., 1975. Dissertation, Clark Univ.
Kahri, A. I., Pesonen, S. and Saure, S., 1970. Steroidologia 1, 25–64.
Gutman, E. and Hanzlikova, V., 1973. Mech. of Aging and Develop. 1, 327–349.
Rockstein, M. ed., 1973. Development and Aging in the Nervous System, Academic Press, N.Y.
Lockshin, R. A. and Beaulaton, J., 1975. Life Sciences 15, 1549–1565.
Ichi, S., 1970. Endocrin. Japan 17, 517–520.
Ichi, S., Ikeda, A., Izawa, M. and Ohta, A., 1971. Endocrin. Japan 18, 169–173.
Ichi, S., Ikeda, A., Ohta, A. and Izawa, M., 1972. J. Biochem. 71, 615–623.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by U.S.P.H.S. grants AM-5384 and AM-13724 and taken in part from dissertations submitted by Chan and by Mostafapour to Wayne State University in partial fulfillment towards the Ph.D. degree.
An invited article.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tchen, T.T., Chan, S.W., Kuo, T.H. et al. Studies on the adrenal cortex of hypophysectomized rats: A model for abnormal cellular atrophy and death. Mol Cell Biochem 15, 79–87 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01793330
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01793330