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Horm Metab Res 1984; 16(11): 589-592
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1014858
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© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

Role of Pineal Gland in Kidney-Adrenal Homeostasis

D. Acuña, C. Garcia del Rio, L. Garcia-Torres, J. Luna, C. Osorio
  • Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Granada, Spain
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Publication History

1982

1983

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Summary

The effects of pineal gland on kidney-adrenal axis have been studied in male rats. Rats were pinealectomized and exposed to a photoperiod of 12 h light : 12 h dark. Plasma renin activity (PRA), corticosterone and corticotropin (ACTH) levels were measured at 10, 20 and 35 days postpinealectomy. Pinealectomy increased corticosterone and ACTH levels and decreased PRA in all age groups. A significant negative correlation was found between corticosterone and PRA, which suggest that changes in PRA were due to changes in circulating corticosterone, via feedback mechanism on renin secretion. On the other hand, melatonin administration prevents these effects of pinealectomy. It is suggested that the lack of this pineal indol is responsible for the pinealectomy-induced alterations in male rats.

Key-Words:

Pineal - Pinealectomy - Melatonin - Renin - Corticosterone

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