EFFECT OF LUTEINIZING-HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE ON RAT ADRENOCORTICAL-CELLS

The effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on the fu nction of rat adrenal cortex were investigated by using dispersed zona glomerulosa (capsular) and zona fasciculata-reticularis (inner) cells . LH-RH increased basal (but not adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-st imulated) corticosterone secretion of inner cells, without affecting e ither aldosterone or corticosterone production by capsular cells. LH-R H markedly raised basal (but not ACTH-enhanced) cyclic-AMP release by inner cells. The corticosterone secretagogue action of LH-RH was aboli shed by the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89. The conclusion is drawn t hat LH-RH specifically stimulates adrenal glucocorticoid secretion in rats through the activation of the adenylate cyclase signaling pathway . (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.