[Change in the level of acid-soluble adenine nucleotides in rat tissues in experimental hypo- and hypercorticism]

The level of free adenine nucleotides was studied in the rat tissues in deficiency and excess of the adrenal cortex hormones in the organism. Hypocorticism induced by adrenalectomy led to reduction of the concentration of total and individual adenine nucleotides in all the tissues examined, except ADP in the spleen and AMP in the myocardium. Single administration of hydrocortisone to intact rats caused an increase in the level of total and individual adenine nucleotides in the liver and reduction of their concentration in the spleen and the skeletal muscle. Along with a fall of total nucleotides and ADP concentration in the myocardium, the AMP content increased and the ATP remained unchanged. Experiments carried out pointed to the participation of glucocorticoids in the metabolism of free tissue adenine nucleotides. Specificity of the reaction of individual tissues to the changes in glucocorticoid hormones level in the organism was noted.