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. 1984 May 15;220(1):125–132. doi: 10.1042/bj2200125

Glucocorticoids and catecholamines as mediators of acute-phase proteins, especially rat alpha-macrofoetoprotein.

J van Gool, W Boers, M Sala, N C Ladiges
PMCID: PMC1153601  PMID: 6204643

Abstract

Adrenal hormones were studied as possible triggering substances of the synthesis of acute-phase reactants in rats. alpha-Macrofoetoprotein, which rises sharply in concentration during inflammation, was used to monitor the acute-phase reaction. In normal rats glucocorticoids and catecholamines induce alpha-macrofoetoprotein synthesis; glucocorticoids only increase alpha-macrofoetoprotein to moderate levels in plasma, but catecholamines enhance alpha-macrofoetoprotein synthesis to very high levels, comparable with those observed in the post-injury phase. However, catecholamines in vivo also activate the adrenal cortex, suggesting a synergistic effect of both kinds of adrenal hormones. Our study showed that in adrenalectomized rats, the effect of catecholamines on alpha-macrofoetoprotein synthesis is greatly diminished, whereas the moderate effect of glucocorticoids remains. Combination of glucocorticoids and catecholamines induces extremely high alpha-macrofoetoprotein levels in both adrenalectomized and normal rats. With crossed immunoelectrophoresis it was shown that other acute-phase reactants, such as haptoglobin and alpha 1-major acute-phase protein, are affected differently by the hormones. Contrary to glucocorticoids, catecholamines give a pattern comparable with that found after surgical injury.

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Selected References

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