To determine the influence of colchicine on adrenocortical function in vivo, we gave significant amounts subcutaneously to rats and observed the distribution to the anterior pituitary and adrenal glands. Corticosteroids in the serum and adrenal gland were increased remarkably by the administration of colchicine in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum elevation was achieved around 2.5 hours after th...

Considering the physiological importance and need of greater morphophysiological knowledge of adrenal glands, the aims of present study were compare the morphometric data between left and right adrenal of male and female; perform a histological, scanning and transmission electron microscopy study showing tissue constitution of glands; finally, in order to define the presence and correct site of...

It is well known that plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone secreted by zona reticularis (ZR) of the adrenal cortex, reach the maximal values in the third decade of life and then gradually decline with age. Moreover, the DHEA deficiency is probably responsible for several functional disturbances connected with aging. It was also found that ZR reaches its definitive v...

The adrenal cortex acts by the elaboration of a series of "hormones which include among their functions the regulation of the electrolyte balance; carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism; the development of the secondary sexual characteristics; and possibly the development of the gonads themselves. Although the action of many of these hormones is regulated by the pituitary, the latter gland ha...

In the present study, we investigated whether the antiulcer effects of nimesulide (100 mg kg(-1) and ranitidine (150 mg kg(-1) were dependent on the adrenal cortex hormones. The antiulcer effects of nimesulide and ranitidine were examined in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model in rats (first experiment). The mean ulcer areas in the control and ranitidine-treated groups were 11.1 +/- 3....

Steroids are important neuromodulators influencing cognitive performance and synaptic plasticity. While the majority of literature concerns adrenal- and gonadectomized animals, very little is known about the "natural" endogenous release of hormones during learning. Therefore, we measured blood and brain (hippocampus, prefrontal cortex) testosterone, estradiol, and corticosterone concentrations ...

The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis has been assessed in 17 asthmatic children before and after long-term prednisolone therapy was changed to daily corticotrophin. In 14 of the 17 children the plasma corticosteroid concentration exceeded 15 mug/100 ml within five days of starting corticotrophin. No exacerbation of asthmatic symptoms occurred during conversion. The plasma corticosteroid respo...

Over the last 30 years nuclear medicine imaging of the adrenal gland and its lesions has been achieved by the exploitation of a number of physiological characteristics of this organ. By seeking and utilising features which are quantitatively or qualitatively different from those of the adjacent tissues, functional depiction of the adrenal gland and its diseases, which in most cases retain the b...

Omalizumab has been shown to improve asthma control when added to a regimen of guideline-based therapy for inner-city children and adolescents, nearly eliminating seasonal peaks in exacerbation and reducing the need for other medications to control asthma. Below, we describe a case of a 17-year-old non-smoker with a history of severe asthma admitted to our clinic after unsuccessful 10-year immu...

A single course of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) reduces the risk of severe neonatal morbidity and is associated with a strong trend towards a reduced risk of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome. However, because 50% of women given ACS remain undelivered and continue to be at risk for preterm delivery, the question remains: would these women benefit from repeated courses of ACS, and, if so, h...