Effect of Staphylococcus protein-A on adrenal gland in mice

Staphylococcus protein-A (SpA) was administered (ip) to Balb/c male mice for two weeks, twice a week at the dose level of 1, 6 and 12 micrograms in 200 microliters of normal saline. A significant change in the relative weights of liver, spleen, thymus, tracheobronchial lymph node, lung and testis was observed in 1 microgram SpA treatment group. In the adrenal, marked changes at the dose level of 1 microgram SpA treatment after 2 weeks were observed in the form of cellular proliferation on zona glomerulosa (ZG) and zona fasciculata (ZF) of adrenal cortex. With 6 and 12 micrograms SpA, adrenocortical masses were observed outside the capsule of adrenal gland. The enhanced effects of SpA at 4 weeks after treatment with the dose level of 6 and 12 micrograms were in the form of adrenal cell masses outside adrenal gland and histological changes in the adrenal cortex. The results suggest that long term and high doses therapy with SpA may be a risk factor to sensitive endocrine glands.