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Thymic involution in the suspended rat - Adrenal hypertrophy and glucocorticoid receptor contentThe relationship between thymic involution and adrenal hypertrophy is studied. The thymus, adrenal glands, and tissue water content are evaluated in male Sprague rats suspended in antiorthostatic (AO) or orthostatic (O) positions. A 50 percent decrease in the wet weight of the thymus and hypertrophy of the adrenal glands are observed during the seven days of AO suspension. After seven days of recovery the thymus weight is increased to control level; however, the hypertrophy of the adrenal glands remains unchanged. Thymic and renal responses in O postioned rats are similar to AO reactions. Thymic glucocorticoid (GC) receptor concentrations in the rats are analyzed; a 20 percent decrease in GC receptor site concentration, which is related to thymic involution, is detected in both AO and O rats. It is concluded that there is a temporal correlation between thymic involution and adrenal hypertrophy, which is not affected by AO positioning, and thymic involution is not associated with an increased sensitivity to GC.
Document ID
19860040922
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Steffen, J. M.
(Louisville Univ. KY, United States)
Musacchia, X. J.
(Louisville, University KY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
Volume: 57
ISSN: 0095-6562
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
86A25660
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-2325
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-70
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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