Control of cell proliferation in the rat adrenal gland in vivo by
the renin-angiotensin system.
McEwan, Pauline. E., George B. Lindop, and Christopher J. Kenyon.
University of Glasgow Department of Pathology and MRC Blood
Pressure Unit,Western Infirmary, Glasgow, G11 6NT, UK
APStracts 3:0051E, 1996.
Adrenal cytogenesis was investigated in response to: a) s.c infusions
of angiotensin (ANG) II (200ng.kg-1.min-1); b) high and low sodium
intake; c) captopril treatment (10mg.kg-1.d-1). Cell proliferation
was assessed as uptake of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd) into
nuclei. BrdUrd, infused continuously throughout two weeks of
treatment, was detected immunocytochemically. ANG II and sodium
restriction caused hypertrophy of the zona glomerulosa with two
-threefold increases in BrdUrd induces. After captopril, the
glomerulosa appeared atrophied with pyknotic nuclei but the BrdUrd
index was unchanged. Zonae intermedia and fasciculata were unaffected
by any treatment. Zona reticularis epithelial cells proliferated in
response to ANG II and sodium restriction but were unaffected by
captopril. In the medulla, captopril increased BrdUrd uptake whereas
ANG II, but not low sodium, caused a decrease. In conclusion: 1)
proliferation of the glomerulosa and reticularis cells is
specifiacally controlled by ANG II; 2) captopril may cause
glomerulosa cells to die; 3) blood pressure may control proliferation
of the medulla.
Received 23 October 1995; accepted in final form 15 February
1996.
APS Manuscript Number E508-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Endocrinol. Metab.).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 20 March 96