The adrenal medulla of the diabetic mouse (C57BL/KsJ, db/db): biochemical and morphological changes

1. Anatomic and biochemical indices of adrenal medullary function were studied in mice (Mus musculus) with hereditary mellitus (C57BL/KsJ, db/db). 2. In the diabetic mice increases in medullary catecholamine content and in the activities of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase were accompanied by increases in adrenal weight and size. 3. Morphometric study of adrenals from diabetic mice showed that the medulla was increased in size but had a lower cell density indicating that medullary hypertrophy as well as hyperplasia were probably responsible for this size increase. 4. These observations are consistent with the occurrence of chronic adrenal medullary stimulation in the diabetic syndrome of these mice.