[Adrenal cortex in experimental carcinogenesis of the intestine].

Morphological and histochemical examinations of the adrenal cortex of 150 rats with intestinal carcinogenesis caused by 1,2-dimethylhydrasine, and comparison of the results with control results in 20 intact rats showed the latent period to occur against the background of atrophic changes in the cortical matter consisting in a decrease in the adrenal weight, narrowing of the cortical matter, decreasing diameter of the secretory cells nuclei, accumulation of lipids and cholesterol in zona fasciculata and zona reticulosa, and decreased content of ascorbic acid. In contrast, the period of tumour growth within the intestinal mucosa coincides with hypertrophic changes in the adrenal cortex. In extensive cancer, the intensity of these hypertrophic changes increased, and dystrophically changed cells and micronecroses appeared.