The role of estradiol in adrenal insufficiency and its interaction with corticosterone on hydromineral balance

• Published in: Hormones and behavior Vol. 64; no. 5; pp. 847 - 855
• Main Authors: Almeida-Pereira, G., Rorato, R., Reis, L.C., Elias, L.L.K., Antunes-Rodrigues, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.11.2013; Elsevier; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Adrenal Insufficiency - metabolism; Adrenals. Adrenal axis. Renin-angiotensin system (diseases); Animal behavior; Animals; Atrial natriuretic peptide; Behavioral psychophysiology; Biological and medical sciences; Body fluids; Corticosterone - pharmacology; Corticosterone - physiology; Drinking - drug effects; Drug Interactions; Endocrine system; Endocrinopathies; Estradiol - pharmacology; Estradiol - physiology; Estrogens; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Homeostasis; Hormones and behavior; Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis; Medical sciences; Minerals - metabolism; Natriuresis - drug effects; Non tumoral diseases. Target tissue resistance. Benign neoplasms; Ovariectomy; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Renin–angiotensin system; Rodents; Sodium - metabolism; Sodium appetite; Thirst; Thirst - drug effects; Water-Electrolyte Balance - drug effects; Renin–angiotensin system; Atrial natriuretic peptide; Sodium appetite; Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis; Thirst; Endocrinopathy; Appetite; Hypothalamohypophysoadrenal axis; Steroid hormone; Corticosterone; Interaction; Estrogen; Renin-angiotensin system; Glucocorticoid; Estradiol; Ovarian hormone; Renin angiotensin system; Natriuretic hormone; Adrenal insufficiency; Sodium; Adrenal hormone; Adrenal gland diseases; Sex steroid hormone
• ISSN: 0018-506X; 1095-6867
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.10.009

Estradiol (E2) plays an important role in controlling the homeostasis of body fluids. Several studies have reported the involvement of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) in the homeostatic control of hydromineral balance and the influence of estrogens on the modulation of this system. Nevertheless, until now, the physiological relevance of HPA axis activity on the hydromineral balance in females has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of E2 (20μg/animal) pretreatment on neuroendocrine and hydroelectrolyte changes induced by adrenalectomy (ADX) with or without glucocorticoid hormone replacement (corticosterone, CORT; 10mg/kg) in ovariectomized rats (OVX). The results show that sodium appetite, natriuresis and the elevated plasma angiotensin II (ANG II) concentration induced by ADX were attenuated by E2 pretreatment. Additionally, a reduction of AT1 mRNA expression in the subfornical organ (SFO) and an increase in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations by E2 pretreatment were observed. E2 pretreatment reversed the reduction in water intake induced by ADX in ADX CORT-replaced rats. Moreover, E2 pretreatment attenuated corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) mRNA expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) induced by ADX. In contrast, E2 pretreatment increased CRF mRNA expression in the PVN in ADX CORT-replaced rats. Taken together, these results suggest that E2 has an important role in the modulation of behavioral and neuroendocrine responses involved in the maintenance of body fluid homeostasis in ADX rats with or without glucocorticoid replacement therapy. •A modulation by E2 of behavioral and neuroendocrine responses in ADX is proposed.•An interaction between E2 and B on hydromineral balance and HPA axis is proposed.•E2 attenuated behavioral and neuroendocrine responses induced by ADX.•E2 reversed the reduction in water intake induced by ADX only in the presence of B.•E2 changes the B negative feedback signal on the neuron producers of CRF in the PVN.