The possible structural changes in the adrenal gland cortex after induction of hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury in male albino rats: Light and electron microscopic study

Abstract

The adrenal gland is an important endocrine gland in the body that secrets the adrenal hormones. One of the important clinical issues is the hepatic ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury. Liver IR injury results in many distant organs dysfunctions such as lung, kidney, intestine, pancreas, and myocardium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible remote effects of hepatic IR on the structure of the adrenal cortex. Twenty healthy males, Sprague–Dawley albino rats aged 6–8 weeks were randomly divided into two groups (10 rats each): the sham control group (SC‐group) and the ischemia–reperfusion group (IR‐group). Sera were estimated for the following: aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and corticosterone levels. Also oxidative markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and the antioxidative enzyme, catalase were measured. Adrenal glands were processed for light and transmission electron microscopic study. The results showed a significant increase in serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and LDH), corticosterone, MDA, and TNF‐α levels and a significant decrease in serum levels of catalase in IR‐group compared with SC‐group. Adrenal cortical tissue of IR‐group showed the loss of normal appearance. Some cells of zona glomerulosa and most of the zona fasciculata cells appeared swollen and degenerated with highly vacuolated cytoplasm. Other cells were shrunken with deeply acidophilic cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei. Degenerated mitochondria with disrupted cristae, lipid droplets were confluent and dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum were seen. Few zona reticularis cells had the dark nucleus and cytoplasmic vacuolations. In the different zones, blood capillaries were markedly congested and some inflammatory cells infiltrations were observed. Liver IR affected the structure of the adrenal cortex.

Aliskiren Reduces the Adrenal Zona Glomerulosa Apoptosis and Autophagy in Wistar Rats with 2K1C Hypertension

“…Some of these changes were also observed in 2K1C treated with aliskiren rats, but the nuclei were preserved, no endosomes were observed, and we noticed the presence of mitochondria with intact membrane. These similar changes have been reported in cells of the glomerular and fasciculate zones of rats after induction of adrenal stress caused by liver ischemia [ 3 ]. Florea and Crãnciun [ 64 ] also reported the same ultrastructural changes in the cells of the zona glomerulosa of rats after treatment with toxins that inhibited mitochondrial activity.…”

“…Adrenal steroid hormones serve to modulate a wide range of processes that are central to physiologic responses to stress, including energy metabolism, immune response, electrolyte homeostasis, and fluid balance [ 1 ]. To fulfill these tasks, the adrenal cortex is organized into functionally and histologically distinct zones: the outermost zona glomerulosa (ZG), the intermediate zona fasciculata (ZF), and the innermost zona reticularis (ZR), which are responsible for the production of mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens, respectively [ 2 , 3 ].…”

The Protective Effect of L-Arginine against Aspartame-Induced Toxicity on Adrenal Cortex of Adult Male Albino Rats: Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Biochemical Study

“…Adrenal gland is one of the organs with highest rates of blood flow in our body. So, adrenal gland is sensitive to different noxious compounds (21) Egyptian Journal of Cell and Tissue Research (EJCTR), Volume 2, Issue 1, January, 2024 ___________________________________________________________________________ https://ejctr.journals.ekb.eg/ Additionally, according toEnciu etal., 2020 (44) , the decreased activity of reduced Glutathione and increased that of MDA lasted for 42 days after the cessation ofaspartame treatment. This was also reported byBekheet and Rady, 2020 (15) who stated that aspartame termination treatment for four weeks was insufficient for restoring the frontal cortex to its normal histologicalfeatures after chronic aspartame consumption in rats.…”

Субмікроскопічні Зміни Ендокриноцитів Кіркової Речовини Надниркових Залоз Через 14 Діб Після Змодельованої Опікової Травми

“…Відомо, що причиною суттєвих морфофункціональних змін органів при опіках є розлади мікроциркуляції, екзо-та ендогенна інтоксикація, внаслідок якої продукти розпаду тканин та токсини впливають на перебіг компенсаторно-пристосувальних процесів в організмі [6][7][8][9]. Важливе значення при перебігу опікової хвороби у хворих з опіками має розвиток реакції на даний фактор органів ендокринної системи, зокрема надниркових залоз, що відіграють істотну роль у процесах метаболізму та фізіологічної адаптації організму до різних факторів навколишнього середовища [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Тому актуальним та недостатньо вивченим на сьогодні є дослідження субмікроскопічних змін надниркових залоз після експериментальної термічної травми.…”