A Biochemical Investigation of the Functional Zonation of the Adrenal Cortex in Man

Griffiths, Kate; Grant, J. K.; Symington, T.

doi:10.1210/jcem-23-8-776

Cited by 51 publications

(24 citation statements)

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“…The problem has been approached from a number of viewpoints: histologically, histochemically, biochemically and physiologically. The results now described support the recent work of Griffiths, Grant & Symington (1963) on the significance of each zone. These authors, modifying their original view (Symington, 1962), suggest that the zona glomerulosa is the only site of aldosterone production; whereas the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis are a single unit, synthesizing corticosteroids and sex hormones.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases in the Human Adrenal Cortex

Calman¹,

Baillie²,

Ferguson³

et al. 1966

Journal of Endocrinology

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The histochemical utilization of 3\g=a\-,3\g=b\-,6\g=b\-,11\g=a\-,11\g=b\-,12\g=a\-,16\g=a\-,16\g=b\-, 17\g=a\-,17\g=b\-,20\g=a\-, 21-and 24-hydroxysteroids by three normal adult human adrenal glands, two human foetal adrenal glands, three adrenals from patients with Cushing's syndrome and one adrenal adenoma are described.The normal adult human adrenal showed high 16\g=b\-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the zona glomerulosa. Activity restricted to the outer part of the zona fasciculata was recorded with 3\g=a\-,3\g=b\-,6\g=b\-, 11\g=b\-, 16\g=a\-,16\g=b\-, and 17\g=b\-hydroxysteroids. The zona reticularis utilized 3\g=a\-,3\g=b\-, 11\g=b\-,16\g=b\-and 17\g=b\-hydroxysteroids less well than the zona fasciculata.The adrenals of Cushing's syndrome showed activity only for 3\g=b\-and 16\g=b\-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenases; this activity was noted in all three zones. The activity pattern of the adrenal adenoma resembled that of the normal adult human adrenal except that greater activity for 16\g=a\-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was noted.The foetal part of the human foetal cortex was extremely active, showing 3\g=a\-,3\g=b\-,6\g=b\-,11\g=b\-,12\g=a\-,16\g=a\-,16\g=b\-,17\g=b\-,20\g=b\-and 21-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. The definitive cortex behaved similarly to the adult gland and possessed 3\g=a\-,3\g=b\-,11\g=b\-,16\g=b\-and 17\g=b\-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases; some evidence of zoning of the definitive cortex was seen with the 16\g=b\-hydroxysteroid.The relevance of these findings in the light of current knowledge of adrenal zonation is discussed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases in the Human Adrenal Cortex

Calman¹,

Baillie²,

Ferguson³

et al. 1966

Journal of Endocrinology

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“…Under the influence of ACTH stimulation the adrenal cortex becomes delipidated and the morphological differences between the adrenal zones tend to disappear (18). Correspondingly (Table II) we find that the concentration of esterified adrenal cholesterol falls significantly in our six patients (P < 0.01) and becomes similar in the inner and outer cortex.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 74%

Metabolism of adrenal cholesterol in man

Borkowski¹,

Delcroix²,

Levin³

1972

J. Clin. Invest.

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A B S T R A C T The synthesis of adrenal cholesterol, its esterification and the synthesis of the glucocorticosteroid hormones were studied in vitro on human adrenal tissue.It was found that the synthesis of adrenal cholesterol may normally be small in the zona "fasciculata," particularly when compared with the synthesis of the glucocorticosteroid hormones, that it is several times higher in the zona "reticularis" where esterified cholesterol is less abundant, and that under ACTH stimulation it increases strikingly and proportionally to the degree of esterified adrenal cholesterol depletion.On the other hand, the relative rate of esterification as well as the concentration of free adrenal cholesterol are remarkably stable: they do not differ according to the adrenal zonation and are unaffected by ACTH. Furthermore, from a qualitative point of view, the relative proportions of A1 and A2 cholesteryl esters formed in situ are similar to those anticipated from their relative concentrations, suggesting that the characteristic fatty acid distribution of the adrenal cholesteryl esters results from an in situ esterification rather than from a selective uptake of the plasma cholesteryl esters. Besides, the in vitro esterification reveals a propensity to the formation of the most unsaturated cholesteryl esters.Regarding hydrocortisone and corticosterone, their synthesis tends to be more elevated in the zona "fasciculata." Despite its higher cholesterol concentration the zona "fasciculata" should not therefore be viewed as a

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“…Although Race & Wu (1961) using whale tissue found that 17-oxosteroid concentrations in the zona reticularis were higher than those in other parts of the gland, and Ofstad, Lamvik, St0a & Emberland (1961) gave evidence for similar functional zonation in man, the work of Griffiths, Grant & Symington (1963) and Ward & Grant (1963) suggested that in man both the zona fasciculata and the z. reticularis can form testosterone and cortisol, and hence that these zones should be considered as a single functional unit. This view has been slightly modified by Jones & Griffiths (1968) who found that in guinea-pigs, sulphurylation of dehydroepiandrosterone may occur predominantly in the z. reticularis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Zonation of Adrenocortical Tissue in the Brush Possum (Trichosurus Vulpecula)

Vinson¹,

PHILLIPSt²,

Jones³

et al. 1971

Journal of Endocrinology

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The relationship of structure and function in the adrenal gland of the possum Trichosurus vulpecula, has been studied using in-vitro incubation techniques. It was shown that both 17\g=a\-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-deoxycorticosteroids were produced from radioactive pregnenolone and progesterone, and that these transformations occurred both in the definitive cortex as well as in a special zone of hypertrophied tissue found only in the adult female.In support of earlier findings, it was also shown that the adrenal cortex of the possum has a remarkable capacity to produce C19 steroids (including androstenedione and testosterone) from the radioactive precursors. While most of the transformations occurred with equal efficiency in both types of tissue, the reduction of androstenedione to testosterone seemed to take place more readily in the special hypertrophied zone of the adult female.In studies in vivo, it was found that levels of testosterone in the peripheral blood of the adult female possum were extremely high compared with man. Variations in testosterone levels were not apparently correlated with the stage of the oestrous cycle. The possible pathways by which the adrenal products are synthesized, and their physiological implications are discussed.

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A Biochemical Investigation of the Functional Zonation of the Adrenal Cortex in Man

Cited by 51 publications

References 1 publication

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases in the Human Adrenal Cortex

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases in the Human Adrenal Cortex

Metabolism of adrenal cholesterol in man

Functional Zonation of Adrenocortical Tissue in the Brush Possum (Trichosurus Vulpecula)

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