Endocrine Abstracts

Adrenal steroids and alterations in steroid metabolism are important factors in the development of obesity in Zucker rats. One might predict, therefore, that the function of the adrenal gland differs between lean and obese Zucker animals. Accordingly, we investigated adrenal gland morphology and function and have considered not only glucocorticoids and HPA activity but also the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Plasma samples and adrenal glands were obtained from young 12 ...

Bile acids inhibit glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid metabolism. However bile acids may also influence hormone action by modulating steroidogenesis in the adrenal gland. In rodents adrenal cholesterol supply for steroidogenesis is derived from circulating HDL through the actions of scavenger receptor SR-B1. Since hepatic SR-B1 expression is known to be regulated by bile acids, we have investigated whether adrenal SR-B1 is similarly affected and, if so, whether adrenal lipid...

Glucocorticoids mediate the stress response, regulated via the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is down-regulated and its responsiveness to stress is impaired in cholestasis. The mechanisms are unknown, but may involve reduced glucocorticoid clearance. Hepatic 5beta-reductase is involved in glucocorticoid inactivation and bile acid biosynthesis. We showed previously that bile acids are potent competitive inhibitors and transcriptional regulator...