Effects of adrenal demedullation and peripheral noradrenaline-depleting agents on adrenocortical function and spleen in rats.

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Abstract
Adrenocortical functions of adrenal-demedullated rats (ADMX rats) and peripherally chemical-sympathectomized ADMX rats were studied by examining changes in the levels of serum and adrenal corticosteroids (CS). Resting levels of serum and adrenal CS were not influenced by adrenal-demedullation and peripheral chemical-sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine [6-OHDA]. Diurnal variation in serum CS concentration was also unchanged, suggesting that peripheral adrenergic systems do not influence the basal function of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. Exposure of ADMX rats to the stressful stimuli resulted in lowered adrenocortical response with a lesser increase in serum CS concentration, while peripheral chemical-sympathectomy of ADMX rats with 6-OHDA or guanethidine caused a significant enhancement of adrenocortical response to the stress with elevation of the serum CS concentrations. Increased peripheral adrenergic activity may suppress the activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical system as the animals were exposed to the stressful stimuli. Adrenal-demedullation produced no increase in spleen weight, while chemical-sympathectomy by peripheral administration of 6-OHDA produced a significant increase in spleen weight. Histological features following chemical-sympathectomy are described.

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