Relationship between Adrenal Gland and Properdin Level
1964 Volume 83 Issue 2 Pages 196-204
Details
1964 Volume 83 Issue 2 Pages 196-204
The investigations into the relationship between the adrenal cortex and the properdin level have revealed the following:
1. Under the effect of a stress the properdin level decreases.
2. Adrenalectomy considerably decreases the properdin level.
3. On examining the effect of the various cortical hormones, the following facts could be establshed: the deep fall of the properdin level in the untreated group is lessened by prednisolone and increased by DOCA, whereas it is completely counteracted by aldosterone and cortisone displaying mineralo-and glycocorticoid properties. In the case of normal adrenal function, the properdin level is decrea-sed by cortisone DOCA and prednisolone treatments, but it hardly changes under the effect of aldosterone.
4. By a regular zymosan treatment the amount of properdin, after a transi-tional increase of the level, can be completely exhausted. The adrenal gland has probably something to do with it, although the exact nature of its function has not yet been clarified.
5. In adrenalectomized and zymosan-treated rats, after the temporary maintenance of the initial level, the exhaustion sets in earlier.
