[The hypophyseal-adrenal axis in chronic alcoholism]

In order to reveal the morphologic basis of clinically recognized pseudo Cushing syndrome in chronic alcoholism, we performed an analysis of histologic characteristics of hypothalamo-hypophyseal adrenal axis components. The experiment included Wistar rats which were given 15% ethanol solution in water for three months. By methods of classical histology, histochemistry and immunofluorescence adrenal and hypophyseal sections of experimental animals exposed to continual effects of alcohol and those from the control group were examined. ACTH (adrenocorticotropin) cells of the experimental group show expressed immunofluorescence as a proof of their high secretory granules present in numerous cytoplasmic endings which contribute to significantly increased number of these cells comparing to the control group. In the adrenal cortex of animals exposed to alcohol, in the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis, under the influence of hypophyseal corticotropin (ACTH) secretion, there is a statistically significant increase of the compact cells region, as synthetic active elements, in regard to vacuolized cells, as inactive elements, which has been established stereologically. Simultaneous hyperfunction of hypophyseal ACTH cells and ACTH dependent zones of the adrenal cortex in chronic alcoholism, proves that alcohol primarily acts at the level of hypothalamus and hypophysis, while adrenals react to hypersecretion of ACTH cells. The way alcohol affects neurotransmitters is the topic of the discussion, whereas stimulated synthesis of acetylcholine is pointed out.