Effect of Adrenalectomy on Cadmium - and Turpentine - Induced Hepatic Synthesis of Metallothionein and Cv

Recent reports have strongly implicated glucocorticoids in the induction of hepatic metallothionein synthesis and hypozincemia which occurs in certain pathophysiologic conditions. Studies were performed in rats to determine the effect of adrenalectomy and glucocorticoid treatment on the hepatic accumulation of metallothionein subsequent to the administration of cadmium and turpentine, two diverse substances known to induce hypozincemia and hepatic synthesis of mtalltoesindus wll aam aofeto~prmentact ratsnBy 24humboof etallcohionlas wrellte ase inraepasamacrofetoprotein initccas.B 4h oth centration. Results indicate that hepatic synthesis Of a2-macrofetoprotein, but not metallothionein, is mediated by adrenal hormones. Thus, glucocorticoids do not play a "vital" role in hepatic metallothionein accumulation or hypozincemia induced by inflammatory stress, as previously postulated.