An ultrastructural study of nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma

Hirano, Daisaku; Yamanaka, Yataro; Kodama, Masato; Ono, Masaya; Yuge, Fumikazu; Kawata, Naoko; Kobayashi, Masaki; Fuse, Takuro; Yamamoto, Tadao; Takimoto, Yukie; Okada, Kiyoki

doi:10.1007/bf02348223

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…6 With respect to ultrastructural features of nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas, we have already reported that organelles including mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) were not developed compared to those in functioning adenomas. 7,8 To our knowledge, the precise ultrastructural characteristics in adenomas from preclinical Cushing's syndrome are unknown. We studied two adenomas from preclinical Cushing's syndrome and have attempted to clarify their ultrastructural features and compare them with adenomas from overt Cushing's syndrome.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electron microscopic study to compare preclinical Cushing’s syndrome with overt Cushing’s syndrome

et al. 2002

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background : No significant differences in gross and light-microscopic features have been reported between preclinical and overt Cushing's adenomas. In this study, the ultrastructural differences between the two syndromes was attempted to be clarified. Methods : Two preclinical Cushing's syndrome adenomas and two overt Cushing's syndrome adenomas obtained from surgical extirpation were examined in an electron microscopic study.Results : Light microscopically, the adenomas of both syndromes were composed predominantly of clear cells, with few compact cells. Ultrastructurally, the prominent differences were of development in each organelle: the preclinical Cushing's adenomas had undeveloped mitochondria, which were smaller in size and had sparse cristae, lysosomes and polysomes, whereas the overt Cushing's adenomas contained well-developed mitochondria which were larger in size and were filled with abundant cristae, smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), lysosomes and polysomes. Conclusions : Preclinical Cushing's syndrome adenomas were ultrastructurally characterized by a reduced number of cellular organelles such as mitochondria and SER, which are necessary to synthesize glucocorticoid hormones. However, examination of a greater number of adenomas will be required to be able to draw conclusions on the ultrastructural differences between the two syndromes.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electron microscopic study to compare preclinical Cushing’s syndrome with overt Cushing’s syndrome

et al. 2002

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Untitled

Hirano

Okada

Ishida

et al. 2001

Med Electron Microsc

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We performed electron microscopic studies of eight nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas (NFA) and nine aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) obtained from surgical specimens. A comparison of these two types of adenomas was conducted by morphometric analysis of random electron micrographs. The organelles measured included mitochondria (M), smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (SER), rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER), lipid vacuoles (LV), and lysosomes (Ly). The content of steroid hormones, including 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), aldosterone (Ald), and other steroid hormones, was measured in adenoma tissue from six NFA and eight APA. The percentages of the areas of the organelles M, SER, and RER per total cell area in the NFA were significantly lower than those in the APA. The average content of Ald in adenoma tissues in APA was markedly higher than that in the NFA, while the mean content of 17-OHP in the NFA was significantly higher than that in APA. In conclusion, NFA are morphometrically characterized by a reduction in organelles such as M, SER, and RER, compared with findings in APA. From the quantitative analysis of steroid hormones, it was suggested that NFA produce more precursor substances with less hormone activity than APA and that steroidgenesis in NFA is shifted to a glucocorticoid pathway, as indicated by the elevated 17-OHP concentration.

show abstract

An ultrastructural study of nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma

Cited by 2 publications

References 4 publications

Electron microscopic study to compare preclinical Cushing’s syndrome with overt Cushing’s syndrome

Electron microscopic study to compare preclinical Cushing’s syndrome with overt Cushing’s syndrome

Untitled

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About