ACTION OF ADRENALCORTICAL STEROIDS ON CULTURED CELLS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A correspondence exists between the direct action of adrcnocortical hormones on cultured cells and their action in the organism. Inhibition of growth and depression of respiration and of production of mucopolysaccharide in tissue culture by hydrocortisone in high concentration appear to be related to the inhibition of wound healing by excess hydrocortisone. The growth-inhibitory action of meticortelone on cultured cells is, as in the whole organism, about 3 times greater than that of hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone in low concentration stimulates respiration thus increasing energy production. In the organism, this appears to be the cause of the increase of work efficiency under the influence of hydrocortisone. In high concentrations, hydrocortisone depresses respiration and increases aerobic glycolysis. The present finding that excess hydrocortisone stimulates anaerobic metabolism provides a basis for analyzing the role of the adrenal cortex in the performance of strenuous work in states of emergency, for which a supply of anaerobic energy is required (24, 25).