Ultrastructural and hormonal modulations of adrenal gland with alterations of glycemic and liver glycogen profiles following arecoline administration in albino mice

Abstract

Background. Arecoline, a plant alkaloid of betel nut, is consumed by millions of people, for increased capacity of work. It causes immunosuppression, hepatotoxicity, and disturbance in antioxidant production, but it stimulates HPA axis and induces thyroid dysfunction.Aim. To investigate the role of arecoline on adrenal activity, glycemia and glycogen profile in mice.Materials and methods. Arecoline was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/ kg body wt for 20-60 min for acute administration. In chronic administration the same dose was used daily for 15 days. Corticosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine, blood glucose and liver glycogen profiles were measured after 20, 40 and 60 min, in acute administration and after 15 days in chronic administration.Results. Arecoline in acute administration increased corticosterone, norepinephrine and epinephrine levels and induced hyperglycemia with depletions of liver glycogen. But chronic arecoline administration with the same dose for 15 days caused ultrastructural degenerations of adrenal cortex and medulla with the elevation of corticosterone, and depletions of norepinephrine and epinephrine levels. Arecoline also caused hypoglycemia and elevated liver glycogen. Atropine (arecoline receptor antagonist) prevented arecoline action on adrenal activity or blood glucose -liver glycogen interaction.Conclusion. The findings indicate that arecoline initially stimulates adrenal activity, but subsequently inhibits it with alterations of glycemic and glycogen profiles. Arecoline action is mediated by arecoline receptor in mice. Arecoline may have immunological action via adrenal hormonal suppression in mice.