Inhibition of aldosterone synthesis induced by flow-stop in the Mongolian gerbil adrenal gland superfused in vitro.

Stopping of superfusion flow for short periods resulted in a significant accumulation of aldosterone within the Mongolian gerbil adrenal gland superfused in vitro. Aldosterone amounts in the first 2-min samples after the re-starting of superfusion were positively correlated with the length of flow-stop; however, they were significantly lower than calculated amounts: 5-min stop: 37 +/- 1% inhibition, 10-min stop: 51 +/- 1% inhibition. In addition, aldosterone secretion was significantly suppressed during prolonged incubation. The results suggest that aldosterone and glucocorticosteroid amounts in adrenal tissue may modulate basal corticosteroidogenesis and that self-suppression forms an important part of the control mechanisms involved in corticosteroidogenesis.