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OESTROGEN INDUCED HYPERTRIGLYCERIDAMIA: ROLE OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX
Author(s) -
AFOLABI S. K.,
TULLOCH B. R.,
KISSEBAH A. H.,
VYDELINGUM N.,
FRASER T. R.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1976.tb01946.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , adrenal cortex , triglyceride , corticosterone , lipogenesis , chemistry , cholesterol , lipid metabolism , hormone
SUMMARY The role of the adrenal cortex in the pathogenesis of hypertriglyceridaemia associated with the intake of oral contraceptive agents containing oestrogen has been investigated in rats. Bilateral adrenalectomy reduced the activity of hepatic enzymes regulating lipogenesis (acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase) and decreased plasma triglyceride concentrations. On the other hand, the administration of high dosage corticosterone induced the activity of hepatic enzymes with consequent elevation in serum triglyceride levels. In animals with intact adrenals the administration of oestradiol: (a) raised plasma triglyceride levels, (b) enhanced the activity of hepatic enzymes, and (c) increased the adrenal cortex: body weight ratio. The effects (a) and (b) were not observed when both adrenals were removed prior to oestrogen therapy. High dosage corticosterone replacement was found to be essential for the oestradiol to produce its effects on hepatic enzymes and plasma triglyceride levels. The results suggest a regulatory role for the adrenal cortex in the homeostasis of plasma triglyceride concentration and that the hypertriglyceridaemia induced by the oestrogen containing preparations might be secondary to alterations in adrenocortical function.