Effects of ACTH and calcium on cyclic AMP production and steroid output by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex.

Effects of ACTH and calcium on cyclic AMP production and steroid output by the zona glomerulosa (the capsular fraction) from the rat adrenal cortex have been studied. Although high concentrations of extracellular calcium potentiated the stimulatory action of ACTH on cyclic AMP and aldosterone output, tetracaine or verapamil inhibited aldosterone output but not cyclic AMP production during ACTH-stimulation. Lanthanum reduced both aldosterone and cyclic AMP accumulation induced by ACTH. These results suggest that an extracellular calcium would be essential in stimulating the capsular steroidogenesis without involvement of the cyclic AMP system.     

Non-suppressed thyroidal radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) in thyrotoxic phase in a case of subacute thyroiditis with thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb).

In this paper, we report a 49-year-old female with subacute thyroiditis who had thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb) and thyroid-stimulation-blocking antibodies (TSBAb) in serum. Although she was in the thyrotoxic phase and TSH was suppressed in May, 1990, her radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) was not suppressed (35.5%) and a thyroid scan disclosed a diffuse goiter with no defect. Serum assays revealed the presence of TSAb, but TSBAb were negative. In August, 1990, the right lobe became undetectable by thyroid scan when the RAIU was 20.7% with the TSH level remaining suppressed. At that time, TSAb were negative, while TSBAb were positive. When the RAIU was 31.1% in October, 1990, both thyroid lobes became visible and the TSH level was normalized. TSBAb became negative, and although TSAb reappeared it later became undetectable. These results indicate that the changes in the patient's thyroid scan and RAIU were attributable to the presence of TSAb.     

Spontaneous calcification in F344/Slc and F344/JCL rats

F344/Slc and F344/JCL rats 2 years of age were histologically examined for the incidence and distribution of calcification. In the male rats of both strains, calcification was observed in the testis, lung, brain, kidney, heart, aorta, cornea, prostate and seminal vesicle respectively. In the female F344/JCL rats, calcification appeared in the kidney, lung, cornea, brain, stomach, ovary and heart. Among these of both sexes, the lung was one of the most affected organs for calcification. On the other hand, calcification in the kidney was more severe and frequent in the females than in the males, suggesting that the sex may be one of enhancing factors for calcification.