Adrenocortical metabolism and plasma corticosterone in soman intoxicated rabbits.

The organophosphate neurotoxin soman produced impairments in adrenocortical RNA and protein metabolism. Fasciculate and reticular cell RNA and protein contents were suppressed with sublethal to acutely lethal dosages (20, 30 and 40 micrograms/kg, s.c.) during the acute excitatory phase of intoxication and at 6-8 h post injection. All three dosages produced ca 90% inactivation of plasma cholinesterase. A transient elevation of plasma corticosterone occurred with 20 micrograms/kg soman whereas there was a protracted increase with 30 micrograms/kg. Corticosterone was not significantly elevated with 40 micrograms/kg, but death occurred at 13 +/- 4 min. Thus, the magnitude and/or nature of soman-induced metabolic impairments does not appear to prevent adrenal activation.