Numerous spironolactone bodies have been detected in the zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal cortex of a 36-year-old spironolactone-treated woman whose non-tumorous right adrenal gland was removed surgically because of primary hyperaldosteronism. Electron microscopy revealed spherical laminated whorls which consisted of a central core composed of an amorphous electron-dense material surrounde...

Twenty-three unilaterally adrenalectomized guinea pigs were injected with autologous and homologous adrenal tissue homogenates respectively, in Freund's adjuvant. Widespread adrenal lesions were found in 10 of 12 animals receiving auto-antigen and to a lesser extent in 6 of 11 animals injected with homologous pooled antigen. Widespread systemic lesions were present in both these and in control ...

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 7 (α7) is a ligand-activated ion channel that contributes to a diversity of cellular processes involved in development, neurotransmission and inflammation. In this report the expression of α7 was examined in the mouse developing and adult adrenal gland that expresses a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter as a bi-cistronic extension of the endogeno...

In mammals, the master clock of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and subordinate clocks found throughout the body coordinate circadian rhythms of behavior and physiology. We characterize the clock of the adrenal, an important endocrine gland that synchronizes physiological and metabolic rhythms. Clock gene expression was detected in the outer adrenal cortex prefiguring a role of the clock in re...

OBJECTIVE We report a case of left adrenal schwannoma in a 62-year-old man, incidentally discovered on an abdominal computed tomography. It was successfully treated with laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS On admission, no remarkable findings were recognized in the patient's blood and urine examination, including adrenal function. Laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed with the diagnos...

Alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an agonist at the melanocortin 3 (MC3-R) and melanocortin 4 (MC4-R) receptors. α-MSH stimulates corticosterone release from rat and human adrenal cells. Patients with Cushing’s syndrome have elevated levels of serum α-MSH. Agouti related protein (AgRP) is an endogenous antagonist at the MC3-R and MC4-R and is expressed in the rat adrenal cortex. A...

Adenomatoid tumors are neoplasms of mesothelial origin, usually occurring in the male and female genital tracts. Extragenital localization sites such as adrenal glands are rare but have been reported. When found in the adrenals, they represent great clinical, radiological and pathological diagnostic challenge, with wide range of differential diagnoses to be considered. We present a case of a 30...

In the adrenal gland, there is a mutual interaction between cells in cortex and medulla of immune system. Sex hormones regulate cell functions as well reproductive metabolic processes throughout life. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) cytokine that regulates maturation differentiation many types. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) multifunctional plays an important role various physiological pathophysi...

Ultrasonography is a sensitive and specific screening method for assessing the adrenal glands. The upper limit of the normal adrenal gland width is used as 7.5 mm. It is not known if adrenal gland width remains consistent with body weight. A reliable criterion of adrenal gland width in small breed dogs should be established. Small breed dogs with body weights of less than 10 kg were divided int...

Aldosterone in ovine fetal circulation is mainly of fetal origin. Three of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) parameters (renin, renin substrate and angiotensin II) originate in the fetus. The fetal RAS responds to stimulation (furosemide administration, hemorrhage, hypoxemia) or inhibition (phenylephrine or angiotensin II infusion) in a manner similar to that of the adult. The response of the ...