GLYCYRRHIZIN-INDUCED INHIBITION OF THE PITUITARY-ADRENAL STRESS RESPONSE

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Abstract
Two indices of pituitary-adrenal function, resistance to cold stress and capacity to mobilize glucose during 48 hours of starvation stress were studied in normal and glycyrrhizin treated animals. The survival rate of glycyrrhizin pretreated mice (0.4% ammoniated glycyrrhizin in place of drinking water for 4 days prior to stress) exposed to cold stress for 8 hours was 60% less than untreated controls. Glycyrrhizin pretreated rats (0.4% ammoniated glycyrrhizin in place of drinking water for 1 week prior to test) mobilized 22.8% less glucose than untreated controls during 48 hours of fasting. Normal animals responded to the stresses with increased adrenocortical activity through release of adrenal corti-cotrophic hormone. The higher mortality and the diminished capacity to mobilize glucose in glycyrrhizin treated animals strongly suggests that glycyrrhizin like desoxycorticosterone depresses the output of ACTH.