[The functional characteristics of the hypophyseal-adrenal system in female mice with a hereditary autoimmune pathology].

Functional activity of the pituitary-adrenal axis was studied in genetically autoimmune mice (NZB strain). Young and healthy females (2-3-month old) had high total plasma corticosteroids which sharply decreased by the 6-7th month when the first anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies appeared. At the same time, their ACHT plasma concentration significantly increased compensating, probably, for the low level of corticosteroids. At 6-7 month of age, the amount of corticosteroid-binding globulin was significantly increased therefore decreasing the pool of the active hormones. Low doses of dexamethasone increased the pool of free active glucocorticoids and prevented development of autoimmune processes. The data obtained suggest a possible role of endogenous glucocorticoids in the protection against autoimmune disease.