Effect of Pantothenate Deficiency on Synthesis of Adrenal Cholesterol Following Stress. ∗

Abstract

Summary

The adrenal cholesterol of pantothenate deficient rats was significantly depressed compared to that of control animals on a normal diet. After the stress of unilateral adrenalectomy, the cholesterol content of the remaining adrenal decreased immediately in both diet groups. By 24 hours after unilateral adrenalectomy, the adrenal cholesterol of the normal rats had returned to its initial value; in the deficient rats adrenal cholesterol remained depressed up to 7 days after the stress. The data are interpreted as evidence that the synthesis of adrenal cholesterol is decreased in pantothenate deficiency.