Response of exocrine pancreas to corticosterone and aldosterone after adrenalectomy

• Published in: Journal of steroid biochemistry Vol. 33; no. 6; pp. 1097 - 1102
• Main Authors: Alliet, Ph, Lu, R.B., de la Garza, J.A.Madrazo, Santer, R., Lebenthal, E., Lee, P.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01.12.1989; New York, NY Pergamon
• Subjects: Adrenal Glands - physiology; Adrenalectomy; Adrenals. Interrenals; Adrenocortical hormones. Regulation; Aldosterone - physiology; Amylases - metabolism; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Body Weight; Corticosterone - physiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Pancreas - enzymology; Pancreas - physiology; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Spironolactone - metabolism; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Endocrine gland; Amylase; Rat; Adrenal glands; Corticosterone; Enzyme; Mineralocorticoid; Exocrine pancreas; Rodentia; Aldosterone; Glucocorticoid; Adrenalectomy; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Adrenal hormone; Exocrine gland
• ISSN: 0022-4731
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-4731(89)90415-9

The long-term effect of adrenalectomy (Adx) on the exocrine pancreas was examined in female adult rats. Pancreatic amylase concentration decrease to 50% of the control level starting 10 days after Adx, whereas the levels of trypsinogen and lipase remained unchanged. Replacement studies beginning 24 h after surgery with corticosterone (B, 1 mg/100g body wt) or aldosterone (ALDO, 8μg/100g body wt) alone did not prevent the decline in amylase after Adx. However, when both hormones were administered together, pancreatic amylase concentration was maintained at a level similar to that of the control group. Serum corticosterone levels in the rats receiving B alone or B + ALDO were not different, and were comparable to levels found in normal rats. Both ALDO and B, given for 5 days starting 10 days after Adx, were required to restore amylase concentrations toward control values. When spironolactone (SPIRO, 3mg/100g body wt), a specific mineralocorticoid receptor blocker was administered bid together with ALDO + B, it blocked the increase in pancreatic amylase seen in ALDO + B treated rats but did not affect the serum corticosterone levels. These results suggest that mineralocorticoids are also involved in modulating the level of amylase in the rat exocrine pancreas.