Horm Metab Res 1976; 8(5): 388-392
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1093620
Originals

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Influence of Streptozotocin Diabetes on Adrenal Function in Male Rats

A. F. De Nicola [*] , O.  Fridman [**] , E. J. Del Castillo , V. G. Foglia [*]
  • Laboratorio de Esteroides, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Obligado 2490, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 December 2008 (online)

Abstract

Male Wistar rats were treated with an i.v. dose of 100 mg/kg of Streptozotocin (STZ). Either 5 days or 1, 2 or 3 months after induction of diabetes, the adrenal function of these animals was studied. Short course diabetes (5 days) was accompanied by adrenal hypertrophy and high plasma corticosterone levels; during later periods the diabetic rats consistently showed signs of adrenal hyperactivity, yet both adrenal weight and plasma corticosterone tended to be lower than in the 5 day-treated animals. Adrenal incubations with 14C-progesterone showed that 5 days and one month diabetic animals synthesized more deoxycorticosterone than controls; production of corticosterone and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone was normal at all time periods studied. Synthesis of 18-hydroxycorticosterone, a compound which affects sodium metabolism, was increased in 5 day-treated rats; thereafter, the function of the zona glomerulosa seemed to be impaired in diabetic rats. These results suggest that early after induction of diabetes there is adrenal hyperfunction of the mixed type (i.e. gluco and mineralcorticoid), and that in the later periods (2-3 months), the deranged metabolism of the diabetic rat acts as a chronic stress.

1 Career Investigator, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnicas, Argentina.

2 Post-doctoral Fellow, Consejo Nactional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina.

    >