Browsing by Subject "Adrenal gland"
Now showing 1 - 11 of 11
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- PublicationOpen AccessAmyloidosis in adrenal glands of hamsters experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1990) Novoa, C.; García, P.; Rollán, E.; González, J.L.Thirty 10-week-old hamsters were inoculated intraperitoneally with Leishmania infantum amastigotes and were serially killed after 15,30,45,60,75 and 89-90 days. The adrenal glands of each of them were examined by means of light and electron microscopy. The cortex and medulla of the adrenal gland showed a progressive deposition of amyloid, selectively identified by both optical and ultrastructural techniques. It has been suggested that adrenal amyloidosis during visceral leishmaniasis is directly related to a stimulation of the phagocitary mononuclear system due to the persistence of the antigenic stimulation of the parasite. In addition to these deposits, the presence of inflammatory infiltrates containing lymphocytes, plasmocytes and macrophages with leishmanias confirmed the establishment of leishmaniasis. The deposition of the amyloid fibrils finally leads to the partial destruction of the adrenal parenchyma
- PublicationOpen AccessComparative stereological studies on zonation and cellular composition of adrenal glands of normal and anencephalic human fetuses. II. Cellular composition of the gland(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1997) Bocian-Sobkowska, J.; Malendowicz, L.K.; Woíniak, W.In our previous paper (Bocian-Sobkowska et al., 1997) we demonstrated a striking difference in development of zonation in adrenals of normal and anencephalic human fetuses. The purpose of the present study was to characterize, by means of stereology, the cellular composition of developing adrenals in the same case. Studies were performed on 11 pairs of adrenal glands from normal fetuses and 10 from anencephalic fetuses. In the studied period of development (24 to 39 weeks of intra-uterine life) the average volume of cells in normal glands increased as follows: zona glomerulosa (ZG) from 355 to 870 pm3; zona fasciculata (ZF) from 779 to 1200 pm3; fetal zone (FZ) from 2004 to 2380 pm3; and medulla (M) from 600 to 970 ym3. In anencephalic fetuses, the appropriate values were: ZG - 380-680 pn3; ZF - 460-680 pm3; FZ - 1820-1680 pm3; and M - 870-1400 pm3. At the end of the studied period the number of ZG cells in normal fetuses was two fold higher than in anencephalics, ZF cells - 6-fold and in FZ - 5-fold higher, while in the M the number of cells was nearly equal in both groups. During the whole investigated period of intra-uterine development the total number of adrenocortical cells in normal glands increased ca 2.5-fold, while in anencephalic glands only ca 0.5-fold, reaching at the end ca 40% of normal value. In both normal and anencephalic adrenals the number of ZG and M cells was highly correlated with ZG/M cell ratio, being slightly higher in normal glands. No such relation was demonstrated for cells of the remaining adrenocortical zones.
- PublicationOpen AccessComparative stereological study on zonation and cellular composition of adrenal glands of normal and anencephalic human fetuses. l. Zonation of the gland(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1997) Bocian-Sobkowska, J.; Malendowicz, L.K.; Woíniak, W.Comparative stereological studies were performed on zonation of adrenal glands in 10 anencephalic and 11 normal fetuses, aged between 24 and 39 postovulatory weeks. The development of adrenal fetal zone (FZ) is the main factor responsible for normal adrenal gland growth during the intra-uterine life. At the end of fetal '3e riod volume of this zone attains over 8200 mm and constitutes 69-70% of the total gland volume, while respective values for zona glomerulosa (ZG), zona fasciculata (ZF) and medulla IM' are 1665 mm3 (14%) 833 mm3 (7%) and 1071 mm (9%). These data were in striking contrast with those found in adrenals of anencephalic fetuses, in which volume of the gland attained only ca 35% of that in normal fetuses. In the oldest anencephalic fetus studied (39 weeks) the volume of the fetal zone was 962 mm3 (ca 8-folds lower than in normal fetus) comprising only 25% of the total gland volume. For the remaining zones the values were: ZG - 1501 mm3 (ca 90% of the normal value and 39% of the total gland volume); ZF - 770 mm3 (ca 92% and 20% respectively), and M - 539 mm3 (ca 50% and 14%, respective1 y). This stereological study provides the first systemic description of the development of adrenal gland of anencephalic fetuses in comparison with the normally developing gland. Moreover, evidence is given that the growth of adrenal medulla is also retarded in anencephaly while the growth of the zona glomerulosa remains rather unaffected.
- PublicationOpen AccessCytological aspects of the human adrenal cortex development in the course of intra-uterine life(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1993) Bocian-Sobkowska, J.; Malendowicz, L.K.; Wozniak, T.Stereological studies were performed on 20 pairs of adrenal glands of human foetuses. The volume of particular adrenocortical zones, average cell volume and number of parenchymal cells were calculated. In 50 to 320 mm crown-rump length (C.-R.L.) foetuses (9-38 weeks of the intra-uterine life) an exponential increase in adrenal gland weight was found. If compared with the earlier period, the rate of increase was evidently higher beginning from the 20th week and depended mainly upon enlargement of the foetal zone, with less marked changes in the glomerulosa-fasciculata zone. The zona glomerulosa (ZG) and the outer zona fasciculata (ZF) began to delineate by the 20th week of gestation. Zona reticularis was not observed in our material. From the beginning of development, fasciculata cell volume was markedly higher than that of ZG cells and lower than foetal zona (ZX) cells. Until the 20th week of intra-uterine life the volume of glomerulosa-fasciculata zone (G-FZ) increased at a slow rate, while the rate of increase in volume of ZX was higher. After 20 weeks the rate of increase in volume of al1 adrenocortical zones was markedly higher (the same as that of the stroma). The volume of stroma in ZX markedly exceeded that in the remaining parts of the cortex. The average cell volume of ZG and ZF remained constant during the foetal period, while the average cell volume of ZX cells increased gradually from the 9th to the 20th foetal week and afterwards remained unchanged. Of interest is the fact that the percentage of ZX cells in the gland remained rather constant during the whole period of observation (about 3540% for ZX and 60-65% for ZG and ZF).
- PublicationOpen AccessGhrelin localization in the medulla of rat and human adrenal gland and in pheochromocytomas(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2008) Raghay, K.; Garcia-Caballero, Tomas; Bravo, S.; Alvárez, C.V.; González, R.; Diéguez, C.; Beiras, Andres; Fraga, M.; Gallego, R.Objective: Ghrelin is predominantly produced by neuroendocrine cells of stomach and has been expressed in several normal and tumour endocrine tissues. It has been reported that the localization of ghrelin is exclusively in the cortex of human and rat adrenal gland and in adrenocortical tumours. This prompted us to analyze the expression of this peptide in medulla of human and rat adrenal glands and in human pheochromocytomas. Design and methods: Analysis of ghrelin mRNA expression in rat adrenal gland was conducted by means of semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Ghrelin localization was studied in medulla of human and rat adrenal gland by immunohistochemistry. In addition, we have carried out a double immunofluorescence with chromogranin A to determine the specific cell type expressing ghrelin immunoreactivity. Ghrelin expression was also analyzed in five cases of pheochromocytoma by immunohistochemistry. Finally, Western blotting analysis was performed with goat ghrelin antibody in the cortex and in the medulla of rat adrenal gland. Results: RT-PCR demonstrated expression of ghrelin mRNA in rat adrenal gland. We also detected ghrelin expression in virtually all rat pheochromocytes by immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence. Furthermore, we showed ghrelin immunoreactivity in the medulla of human adrenal gland and in pheochromocytomas. By Western blotting, we found the expression of ghrelin precursor, proghrelin and mature ghrelin in the medulla of rat adrenals. However, the cortex of rat adrenal gland only expressed ghrelin precursor. Conclusions: Our study is the first to demonstrate a medullar expression of ghrelin in human and rat adrenal gland; we also showed ghrelin expression in pheochromocytomas.
- PublicationOpen AccessHigh-intensity exercise training produces morphological and biochemical changes in adrenal gland of mice(F. Hernandez y JuanF. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología., 2012) Bartalucci, A.; Ferrucci, M.; Fulceri, F.; Lazzeri, G.; Lenzi, P.; Toti, L.; Serpiello, F.R.; La Torre, A.; Gesi, M.The effects of training are dependent on complex, adaptive changes which are induced by acute physical exercise at different levels. In particular, evidence shows that the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, as well as the sympatho-adrenomedullary system, is mainly involved in mediating the physiological effects of physical exercise. The aim of the present study was to investigate, through a morphological and biochemical approach, the effects of training on the adrenal gland of mice, following two different protocols consisting of either low- or high-intensity training. Mice were run daily on a motorised treadmill for 8 weeks, at a velocity corresponding to 60% (low-intensity exercise) or 90% (high-intensity exercise) of the maximal running velocity previously determined by an incremental exercise test. We found that physical exercise produced an increase in the adrenal gland size compared with the control (sedentary) mice. The increase was 31.04% for mice that underwent high-intensity exercise and 10.08% for mice that underwent low intensity exercise, and this appeared to be the result of an increase in the area of both the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. Morphological analysis of the adrenal cortex showed that both types of exercise produced an increase in cytoplasmic vacuoles in steroidogenic cells, appearing more abundant after high-intensity exercise. No change was found in the reticulate zone. In the adrenal medulla, despite the absence of morphological changes, immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine ß-hydroxylase and phenyl-ethanolamine-N-methyltransferase demonstrated an increased immunopositivity for these cathecolamine-synthesizing enzymes after intense exercise. These results were confirmed by immunoblot accompanied by densitometric analysis.
- PublicationOpen Accesslmmunocytochemical distribution of serotonin and neuropeptide Y, NPY in mouse adrenal gland(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1993) Fernandez-Vivero, J.; Rodríguez Sánchez, F.; Verastegui, C.; Cordoba Moriano, F.; Romero, A.; De Castro, J.M.By the use of imrnunocytochetnicd staining methods. we studied the morphology and distribution of SHT and NPY immunoreactive cells and fibres in the mouse adrenal gland. The 5HT-immunoreactive cells were numerous and widely localized in the medullar tissue. These cells were arranged in three cellular types with regard to their morphological and immunocytochemical features. One of them showed cells with polygonal shape, being intensified like the typical medullary chromaffin cells. These imniunoreactive cells were observed arranged in medullar islets. The second SHT-inimi~noreactive celular type was constituted by cells with polygonal shape and strong immunoreactivity. The third one was formed by cells with irnmunoreactive prolongations. We found some islets of chromaffin nonirnmunoreactive cells surrounded by immunostained cells. We also observed some 5HT-imniunoreactive nerve fibres in the rnedullar tissue. NPY-like itlitnunoreactivity was detected in both chromaffin and ganglion cells in adrenal medulla. NPY-like imrnunoreactivity was also detected in nerve fibres at cortical level. In a few cases, we observed medullar SHT- and NPYinimunoreactive tissue in the adrenal cortex (monotremas).
- PublicationOpen AccessNestin expression in normal adrenal gland and adrenocortical tumors(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) Toti, P.; Regoli, M.; Nesi, G.; Occhini, R.; Bartolommei, S.; Fonzi, L.; Bertelli, E.Human adrenocortical cells have been shown to express cytokeratins and vimentin. Nestin is an intermediate filament protein that is mainly expressed in the developing nervous system and that has been recently reported in rat adrenal gland as well. Using immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches, the present study demonstrates that nestin is constantly expressed in situ in the cortex of normal human adrenal glands. Nestin expressing cells were prevalently located in the zona reticularis but some positive cells could be spotted in the zona fasciculata as well. Moreover, patches of nestin-positive cells have been constantly detected on sections of cortical adenomas. In contrast, adrenal carcinomas displayed a variable number of nestin-immunoreactive cells that in some cases were virtually absent. Samples of renal clear cell carcinoma metastasis in the adrenals were also examined which did not show nestin-immunoreactivity. We propose that a positive nestin-immunoreaction could be useful in differential diagnosis of clear cell tumors in adrenal glands.
- PublicationOpen AccessParacrine control of steroid hormone secretion by chromaffin cells in the adrenal gland of lower vertebrates(F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 1998) Mazzocchi, G.; Gottardo, G.; Nussdorfer, G. G.The adrenal glands of lowe r vertebrates display a notable intermingling between steroidogenic and chromaffin tissues, which increases from Pisces to Al'es. As in mammals, adrenal chromaffin cells contain and release, in addition to catechol amines, serotonin and several peptides, which may affect the secretory acti vity of steroidogeni c cells in a paracrine manner. Stimulatory molec ul es in c lud e se roto nin , arg inin e-va so tocin. tachykinin s, vasoac ti ve intestinal peptide , pituita ry adenylate cyclase-acti vating peptide and calcitonin generelated peptide: inhibitory molec ul es are dopamine, somatotropic hormone-release inhibiting hormone and ga lanin . Epin ephrine and no repinephrine appe ar to stimulate steroid sec retion in Aves and to inhibit it in Pisces, while their ac tion in Amphibia is controversial. Likewise . atri a l natriureti c peptide exe rts an antisec re ta gog ue ac ti o n in Amphibia and a ma rk ed secretagogue effe ct in Pisces and Aves. The effects of opioids (enkephalins and endorphins) have scarcely been in vesti ga ted a nd th e findin gs obt a ined a re hi g hly qu esti o nabl e. Compared with the ama zin g ma ss of in vestigations carried out in mammals, studies in lower ve rtebrates a re few, and in large part pe rformed in Amphibia and Al'es. It appears that much further work has to be done by comparati ve endocrinologists to fully clari fy the physiolog ica l relevance of th e functi onal interactions between chromaffin and steroidogeni c cells in the adrenal glands of lower vertebrates.
- PublicationOpen AccessRelationship between changes in the fascicular zone of the adrenal cortex and age in fighting breed (bos taurus) in different stress situations(Universidad de Murcia, 2015) Mas, A.; Sanes, J.M.; Cerón Madrigal, José Joaquín; Pallarés, F. J. Pallarés; Seva Alcaraz, JuanSe han utilizado veinte bovinos de raza de lida que fueron divididos en cuatro grupos de acuerdo con la edad y el tipo de lidia, con el fin de estudiar el posible efecto de diferentes situaciones de estrés sobre la morfología y la función de la corteza suprarrenal. Los grupos establecidos fueron los siguientes; Grupo I (hembras lidiadas en una plaza de toros de tientas de 3 años), Grupo II (machos lidiados en una plaza de toros portátil de 3 años), Grupo III (machos lidiados en una plaza de toros de 4 años,) y Grupo IV (hembras lidiadas en una plaza de tientas de 8 años). Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre y la glándula suprarrenal de todos los animales. Los valores de cortisol se obtuvieron de muestras de sangre. Los estudios estructurales y ultraestructurales se realizaron de la glándula suprarrenal. En el análisis estructural de la glándula adrenal se estudió la proporción de las diferentes zonas de la corteza adrenal y las características de las células de la zona fascicular. Los resultados muestran una mayor liberación de cortisol detectado en el grupo de hembras de mayor edad (grupo IV). Una mayor proporción de zona fascicular se detectó también en este grupo y significativas diferencias (p <0, 05) se encontraron con respecto a los otros grupos. Además, los espongiocitos de la zona fascicular en las hembras de edad avanzada presentan un mayor número de liposomas, estadísticamente significativo (p <0, 05), que los otros grupos. Esto podría significar que los animales más viejos pueden tener una mayor capacidad de síntesis de cortisol. Es posible un aumento de la corteza adrenal como consecuencia de las situaciones de estrés recurrentes sufridas por estos animales y se podría considerar como un indicador morfológico de estrés crónico.
- PublicationOpen AccessStructure and hormonal output of the adrenal gland after experimental estrogenization of male rats(Universidad de Murcia, Departamento Histología e Histopatología, 2025) Pavle Ćosić; Svetlana Trifunović; Branka Šošić-Jurjević; Marko Miler; Branko Filipović; Milica Manojlović-Stojanoski; Vladimir Ajdžanović; Histología e HistopatologíaOrchidectomy and estrogenization of the male represent a procedure that is applicable in sex reassignment or in prostate cancer therapy. This approach has an influence on the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis and thus affects cardiovascular function and metabolism. We utilized orchidectomized rats to evaluate the effects of estradiol on the structure and hormonal output of the adrenal gland. Adult Wistar rats were divided into sham-operated (SO; n=7), orchidectomized (Orx; n=7), and estradiol-treated orchidectomized (Orx+E; n=7) groups. Estradiol-dipropionate (0.625 mg/kg b.m.) was administered subcutaneously for three weeks, while the SO and Orx groups received vehicle alone. Set objectives were achieved using histochemistry/immunohistochemistry, stereology, and immunoassays. In Orx+E rats, the hormonal milieu was characterized by decreased testosterone and increased ACTH, compared with the Orx group. Also, orchidectomy and estradiol treatment provoked a significant increase in adrenal cortex volume and volume of ZF per se, with increased cell and nuclei volumes in all three adrenocortical zones (ZG, ZF, and ZR), in comparison with Orx rats. Concentrations of aldosterone in blood, as well as corticosterone in blood and adrenal tissue were increased, while circulating DHEA was decreased (with increased immuno-expression of adrenocortical CYP 17 enzyme), all in Orx+E compared with Orx animals. The wide zonal distribution of VEGF and the pronounced blood supply within the ZF of Orx+E animals acted to support the synthesis and secretion of corticosteroids. These results seem cautionary in the context of young male estrogenization, given the negative impact of high mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids on cardiovascular function and metabolism.