Influence of Adrenalectomy on the Rat Lung 1

Abstract

Summary

Glucose-U-¹⁴C, glucose-1-¹⁴C, and glucose-6-¹⁴C utilization were examined in vitro in lungs from adrenalectomized (ADX) male rats. Lungs from rats killed 3 weeks following adrenalectomy showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in lung weight. Incorporation of glucose-U-¹⁴C by the lung was significantly depressed by 30% in total lipids and by 32% in phospholipids (PL) in the ADX group. Hydrolysis of PL revealed that the depressed incorporation was proportionately greater in PL fatty acid than in PL glyceride glycerol moiety. The ability to oxidize labeled glucose was also significantly reduced (26%) in the ADX lungs. The C₁/C₆ ratio was significantly lower in the ADX group, suggesting relatively less carbon flow through the hexose monophosphate shunt. The data shows that adrenal deficiency has a profound influence on glucose metabolism and lipogenesis in the rat lung. Adrenalectomy did not affect lung surface tension properties. The suggestion is made that following adrenalectomy there is an increase in amount of growth hormone or an increase sensitivity to normal secretions of growth hormone which leads to higher lung weight and altered carbohydrate metabolism.

A sincere thanks is extended to Mary Lou Eskew for her technical assistance.