engleski

Influence of chronic stress on ObR expression in stem cell zone of adult Sprague-Dawley rat adrenal gland

Adult Sprague-Dawley rat adrenal gland has stem cell zone located between glomerular and fascicular zones of adrenal cortex. This zone is crucial to the long-term maintenance of the adrenal gland and its ability to respond to stress. The adrenal gland expresses leptin receptor (ObR), which is generally in charge of energy intake and expenditure. The role of ObR in adrenal gland is not known. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of chronic stress on ObR expression in the stem cells of the adrenal gland of male (NON-CAST), castrated male (CAST), female (NON-OVX) and ovariectomized female (OVX) Sprague-Dawley rats aged 15 months. After exposure of animals to chronic stress adrenal glands were collected and immunohistochemical staining was performed using ObR antibody. ObR expression was found in endocrine portion of adrenal gland, particularly in stem cell zone. Exposure to chronic stress lowers ObR expression in adrenal stem cells of NON-CAST comparing to control group (p=0, 011) and NON-OVX comparing to control group, but it has completely opposite effect in castrated animals. It increases ObR expression in adrenal stem cells of CAST and OVX in comparison to control group. The difference between castrated and noncastrated animals is even more noticable when OVX is compared to NON-OVX group (p=0, 006). Chronic stress affects ObR expression in adrenal stem cells probably through involvement of sexual hormones Further studies are required in order to understand destiny of adrenal stem cells after chronic stress.

stem cell; leptin receptor; adrenal gland; stress; Sprague-Dawley rat

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