[Effect of acid polysaccharides on the corticosteroid biosynthesis]

Repeated administration of carboxymethylchitin and chondroitinsulfate to rats in doses of 20 and 120 mg/kg/24 hours led to reduction (by 40-55%) of the rate of aldosterone and 18-oxycorticosterone biosynthesis by the rat adrenal glands in vitro. Carboxymethylcellulose, algin and hyaluronic acid displayed no inhibitory effect. In case of a single administration of carboxymethylchitin to rats (50 mg/kg) inhibition of the rate of aldosterone and 18-oxycorticosterone biosynthesis was seen 48 hours after the administration of the preparation and lasted four days. No inhibitory effect was induced by the addition of 10 mg/kg of acid polysaccharides into the incubation medium of the adrenal glands.