Histochemical studies on the long term prostaglandin treatment on adrenal delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities in rats pretreated with estradiol dipropionate.

Long term Prostaglandin E2 treatment stimulates adrenal weight and steroid output. Indirect studies with histochemical localization of steroidogenic enzymes and hepatocyte glycogen content revealed that in state of adrenal suppression, PGE2 fails to elicit a positive change in steroid output from adrenal cortex, although apparently increases the enzymatic staining reactions. This suggests that the action of Prostaglandin on adrenal steroidogenesis is a pharmacologic one rather than a physiologic response.