Early Changes in Rat Adrenal Protein Synthesis After Dimethyl-nitrosamine Administration 1

Abstract

Summary

The effect of dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA) treatment in vivo on the rat adrenal gland was investigated using cell-free incorporation of leucine-¹⁴C into protein as an index of metabolism. DMNA, by intraperitoneal injection or gastric intubation, resulted in an increased rate of amino acid incorporation into adrenal protein within 2 to 3 hr of administration. A second response to DMNA, which peaks at 12 hr, was found only after intraperitoneal injection of the drug. DMNA added to adrenal slices in vitro showed no stimulation of leucine incorporation into protein. Correlating the adrenal response to DMNA with the effect of diatomaceous earth (Celite) injection (ip) leads to the suggestion that the adrenal response to DMNA arises as a secondary manifestation of its direct action on other organs.