Effect of denervation on glutathione and oxidized glutathione in rat adrenal cortex and medulla after repeated stress.

The effect of unilateral denervation of adrenal gland on the content of glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in adrenal cortex and medulla was studied in rats exposed to stress by forced immobilization. The assay of GSH and GSSG was performed according to the method of Tietze [1969]. It was found that the wet weight and the level of GSH, GSSG and GSH:GSSG ratio of denervated adrenal cortex and medulla failed to change significantly after repeated stress, while an increase of wet weight, GSH and GSH:GSSG ratio and a decrease of GSSG in both the cortex and medulla occurred in contralateral innervated adrenal gland. These results suggest that the neural regulation is required for the changes of glutathione metabolism in adrenal cortex and medulla of rats exposed to repeated stress.