Ageing adrenal cortex

Blake, M.J., Udelsman, R., Feulner, G.J., Norton, D.D., Holbrook, N.J. (1991). Stress induced heat shock protein 70 expression in adrenal cortex An ACTH-sensitive. age-dependent response. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88, 9873-9877,... 

Nature Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), derived mainly from the adrenal cortex, is an androgen precursor and in peripheral tissues is converted by aromatase to estradiol, fit the plasma, DHEA is converted to DHEA sulfate (DHEAS). No specific physiologic function has been defined for DHEA or DHEAS. However, DHEA levels decrease during aging and possibly in some disease states, including advanced AIDS, diabetes, and systemic lupus erythematosus (in women). 

ACUTE DISEASE ADOLESCENCE ADRENAL CORTEX HORMONES/THER USE ADULT AEROSOLS AGE FACTORS ASTHMA/DRUG THY BRONCHI/ DRUG EFF DISODIUM CROMOGLYCATE/THER USE FEMALE HUMAN INHALATION THERAPY ISOPROTERENOL/PHARMACO MALE MENSTRUAT10N METHACH0LINEC0MP0UNDS/PHARMAC0 MIDDLE AGE SEX FACTORS SPIROMETRY STEROIDS/THER USE TIME FACTORS... 

In the adrenal cortex of old rats, Upogenic pigmentation of parenchymal cells is usually seen in the inner zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. Beginning at the age of about 300 days, macrophages show lipofuscin (von Seebach et al. 1975). In mice aged 23 months Setoguti etal. (1979) described specific lamellar structures of agranular endoplasmic reticulum in the zona reticularis cells. 

The adrenal glands play an important role in pubertal development. Termed adrenarche, the maturation of a prominent zona reticularis, the innermost layer of the cortex, begins around age six to eight in girls, resulting in increased secretion of the adrenal androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (Beckman Feuston, 2003). The rise in these hormones leads to the development of pubic and axillary hair. Recent evidence suggests... 

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