TY - JOUR
T1 - Time-dependent changes in adrenal cortex ultrastructure and corticosterone levels after noise exposure in male rats
AU - Gesi, Marco
AU - Fornai, F.
AU - Lenzi, P.
AU - Natale, G.
AU - Soldani, P.
AU - Paparelli, A.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - In response to a stressful stimulus, there is a marked activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis leading to a release of adrenocorticotropic hormone. This, in turn, acts on the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex to increase corticosterone plasma levels. Given the frequency of chronic intermittent noise exposure in man, we selected loud noise to evaluate concomitant changes in the ultrastructure of the adrenal cortex and corticosterone release. Following chronic (21 days, 6h per day) loud white noise exposure (100 dBA, 0-26 KHz), we found the zona fasciculata to be most sensitive to time-dependent ultrastructural changes. These consisted of modifications in cell compartments involved in hormone synthesis and release. On the other hand, we found a progressive increase in corticosterone plasma levels which reached a plateau 9 days after noise exposure. The significance of these changes, in relation to phenomena like sensitization to repetitive stress, are discussed. Furthermore, the present data suggest that chronic loud noise exposure might potentially lead to endocrine dysfunctions.
AB - In response to a stressful stimulus, there is a marked activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis leading to a release of adrenocorticotropic hormone. This, in turn, acts on the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex to increase corticosterone plasma levels. Given the frequency of chronic intermittent noise exposure in man, we selected loud noise to evaluate concomitant changes in the ultrastructure of the adrenal cortex and corticosterone release. Following chronic (21 days, 6h per day) loud white noise exposure (100 dBA, 0-26 KHz), we found the zona fasciculata to be most sensitive to time-dependent ultrastructural changes. These consisted of modifications in cell compartments involved in hormone synthesis and release. On the other hand, we found a progressive increase in corticosterone plasma levels which reached a plateau 9 days after noise exposure. The significance of these changes, in relation to phenomena like sensitization to repetitive stress, are discussed. Furthermore, the present data suggest that chronic loud noise exposure might potentially lead to endocrine dysfunctions.
KW - Adrenal cortex
KW - Corticosterone
KW - Electron microscopy
KW - Male rat
KW - Noise stress
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U2 - 10.1076/ejom.39.3.129.4673
DO - 10.1076/ejom.39.3.129.4673
M3 - Article
C2 - 11910530
AN - SCOPUS:0035726830
VL - 39
SP - 129
EP - 135
JO - European Journal of Morphology
JF - European Journal of Morphology
SN - 0924-3860
IS - 3
ER -