STIMULATORY EFFECT OF VASOACTIVE INTESTINAL PEPTIDE (VIP) ON THE GROWTH AND STEROIDOGENIC CAPACITY OF RAT ADRENAL ZONA GLOMERULOSA

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Abstract
The effects of prolonged treatment with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on the morphology and hormone secretion of the rat adrenal gland were investigated. VIP administration caused a significant hypertrophy of the zona glomerulosa and its parenchymal cells, coupled with a notable rise in the blood level of aldosterone. Zona fasiculata morphology and the blood concentration of corticosterone were not affected. Plasma potassium concentration, the level of circulating ACTH and plasma renin activity did not display any significant variation in VIP-treated animals. The possibility is discussed that VIP may be specifically and directly involved in the control of the growth and steroidogenic capacity or rat adrenal zona glomerulosa.