Influence of the adrenal glucocorticoids on the stimulation of synthesis of hepatic ribonucleic acid and plasma acute-phase globulins by leucocytic endogenous mediator

Abstract

An injection of unpurified leucocytice endogenous mediator into rats results in an increased incorporation of [6(-14)C]orotate into hepatic RNA, an increase in the concentration of RNA associated with the bound ribosomal fraction of liver, and increases in the concentrations in serum of acute-phase proteins such as alpha2-macrofoetoprotein and haptoglobin. If given 3 days after adrenalectomy or 7 days after hypophysectomy, leucocyte factor did not induce the increase in RNA synthesis or alpha2-macrofoetoprotein concentrations but did stimulate an increase in serum haptoglobin. When hypophysectomized or adrenalectomized rats received daily subcutaneous injections of 0.5mg of cortisol, leucocyte factor again induced a significant increase in the synthesis of hepatic RNA and an increase in the concentration of serum alpha2-macrofoetoprotein. These observations suggest that leucocyte factor can regulate acute-phase-protein synthesis at several different sites, one or more of which requires permissive action of the glucocorticoid hormones. Futher, leucocyte factor will stimulate an increase rate of incorporation of orotate into hepatic ribosomes when added in vitro in the presence of cortisol to a liver-perfusion system. Thus the stimulatory effect of leucocyte factor may be directy on liver but may require the presence of other hormones to stimulate the incorporation of orotate into RNA.