flavin-adenine-dinucleotide and Atrophy

In a previous paper the authors described the morphologic observations that the concomitant administration of ACTH and flavin-adenine dinucleotide (FAD) to hypophysectomized rats exerted a more potent preventive effect on atrophy of the adrenal cortex of the animals than the single administration of ACTH. The present study was made to electron-microscopically observe the effect of concomitant administration of ACTH and FAD on atrophy of the adrenal cortex induced with the administration of dexamethasone (Dx). The zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland of rats treated with Dx+ACTH+FAD was morphologically closer in cell organelles such as smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and chylomicrons to that of control animals than the counterpart of animals treated with Dx+ACTH only. The zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex of animals treated with Dx+FAD was morphologically similar to that of animals treated with Dx only. These findings suggested that FAD would potentiate the adrenocorticotropic action of ACTH through its physiologic action.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Adrenal Cortex Diseases; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Atrophy; Dexamethasone; Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Rats

The present study describes the morphological changes in the adrenals of hypophysectomized rats injected 0.03 mg of ACTH and/or 10 mg of FAD intraperitoneally for 5 successive days starting 24 hrs after the operation. The administration of only FAD to intact or hypophysectomized rats showed no morphological change in the adrenal cortex. Simultaneous administration of FAD and ACTH to the hypophysectomized rats is more effective for preventing the atrophy induced than the administration of only ACTH. In these animals, similar morphological observations to those in the control, such as the increased nuclear volume, an increase of clear cells, diminuted numbers of lipid droplets and frequent occurrence of various types of granules, were obtained. FAD seems to be effective, through coexisting with ACTH, for preventing atrophy of the adrenals induced by hypophysectomy.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Atrophy; Cell Nucleus; Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide; Hypophysectomy; Male; Organ Size; Rats

Electron microscopic observation was made on the outer fasciculata cells in the adrenal cortex of hypophysectomized rats receiving 10 mg of FAD and/or 0.3 mg of ACTH intraperitoneally once a day for 5 consecutive days from 24 hours after hypophysectomy. The simultaneous administration of FAD and ACTH to the hypophysectomized rat was more effective for preventing adrenocortical atrophy induced than the administration of ACTH alone. This effect appeared as clear cells with low electron density. While the characteristics induced by hypophysectomy were the decrease in number of smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and mitochondria and also crista of mitochondria being tubular. The clear cells showed a less degree of their characteristic. From this fact, it is considered that the external FAD acts against fasciculata cells in the adrenal cortex of hypophysectomized rats as a coenzyme for flavin enzyme under ACTH and decreases oxidation-reaction in mitochondria and oxidative phosphorilation reaction in SER, being induced by hypophysectomy.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Atrophy; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide; Hypophysectomy; Male; Mitochondria; Rats

Topics: Adrenal Gland Diseases; Animals; Atrophy; Dexamethasone; Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide; Male; Rats

Topics: Adrenal Gland Diseases; Adrenal Glands; Animals; Atrophy; Dexamethasone; Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Rats