Effect of nitric oxide on rat adrenal zona fasciculata steroidogenesis

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of adrenocortical function. Different NO donors, such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP), S-nitroso--acetyl penicillamine, diethylamine/NO complex sodium salt and diethylenetriamine NO adduct, significantly decreased corticosterone production both in unstimulated and in corticotropin-stimulated zona fasciculata adrenal cells, in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of SNP was reversed by ferrous hemoglobin. A selective inhibitor of NO synthase, -N G -nitro-arginine significantly increased corticosterone secretion. The effect of SNP was not mediated by cGMP as permeable cGMP analogs did not reproduce its inhibitory effect. SNP significantly inhibited the steroidogenesis stimulated by 8Br-cAMP and 22(R)-OH-cholesterol, but was ineffective when corticosterone was produced in the presence of exogenously added pregnenolone. Moreover, the conversion of3 H]pregnenolone and the production of pregnenolone or progesterone (assessed by RIA) were significantly decreased by SNP. Taken together, these results suggest that NO may be a negative modulator of adrenal zona fasciculata steroidogenesis.

Induction of nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase activities by endotoxin in the rat adrenal cortex: involvement of both signaling systems in the modulation of ACTH-dependent steroid production

“…Previous results from our laboratory demonstrate that both NOS and HO activities are involved in the modulation of adrenal steroidogenesis (Cymeryng et al 1998, Pomeraniec et al 2004. As shown previously in rats, systemic administration of LPS elicits a prompt release of ACTH and corticosterone: peak values were attained around 1 or 2 h after injection, and basal levels were regained 3-4 h post-injection (Uribe et al 1999, Ma et al 2000.…”

“…We have also presented evidence supporting a modulatory role for NO on adrenal steroidogenesis: NO donors (Cymeryng et al 1998) and L-arginine (Cymeryng et al 1999) significantly inhibit steroid synthesis by a mechanism that probably involves a direct interaction of NO with CYP11A1 (cytochrome P450scc). Based on these results we postulated NO to be an autocrine/ paracrine modulator of adrenal physiology (Cymeryng et al 2002).…”

Comparison of flunixin meglumine and meloxicam influence on postoperative and oxidative stress in ovariohysterectomized bitches

“…NOS activity is increased during stress and infection (Gadek-Michalska et al 2005, Monau et al 2009). Nitric oxide can regulate cortical and medullary adrenal gland functions such as the secretion of aldosterone (Sainz et al 2004) and corticosterone (Cymeryng et al 1998). In the present study, similar to cortisol concentration in group C, NO increased during 0.5 and 1 h but this increment was not statistically significant.…”

eNOS activation and NO function: Differential control of steroidogenesis by nitric oxide and its adaptation with hypoxia

“…At the level of the zona fasciculata, NO donors decreased both basal and ACTH-stimulated corticosterone production while NOS inhibition enhanced glucocorticoid output (Cymeryng et al 1998). Other studies on the zona fasciculata found NO to act as an inhibitor of corticosterone biosynthesis (Adams et al 1992).…”