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Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions
Published on: March 12, 2019
Modulation of the renin-angiotensin system may alter the adrenocortical regeneration
1Department of Clinical Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Lódź, Poland,
Abstract:
The effect of the renin-angiotensin system on adrenocortical regeneration has been studied in rats subjected to left adrenal enucleation combined with contralateral adrenalectomy. It was found that angiotensin II stimulated both proliferation and the steroidogenic capacity of the regenerating adrenal cortex cells by 6 days after operation. The stimulatory effect of angiotensin was prevented by losartan, a type 1 angiotensin (AT1) receptor antagonist, and by nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker. Losartan and nifedipine also depressed the adrenocortical regeneration when given alone. Enalapril, an angiotensin converting enzyme blocker, inhibited both the proliferation and steroidogenesis of the regenerating adrenal cortex, but this effect could be prevented by angiotensin II.
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