[Effect of cortisol, malnutrition and orchiectomy on the concentration of proteins and nucleic acids in rat liver].

Cortisol action on some hepatic parameters related to protein synthesis has been studied in normal and orchidectomized male rats. Since cortisol causes an intake reduction, pair-feeding runs were conducted to achieve results of the hormone action unbiased by the effects derived from the intake restriction. Administration of cortisol in doses of 0.8 mg/100 g of body weight/day to rats from weaning up to 30 days produced a significant increase in DNA and cell liver numbers and a decrease in proteins/DNA, cellular weight and RNA/DNA in unorchidectomized rats. While in orchidectomized rats these parameters do not vary. The intake restriction that cortisol provokes, produced a significant reduction in protein content, proteins/DNA, cellular weight and RNA/DNA. An increase in DNA and cell numbers in unorchidectomized rats, while in orchidectomized rats produced a reduction greater in DNA and cell numbers and an increase in RNA/DNA. Orchidectomy in control rats determined a decrease in protein liver content, DNA, proteins/DNA, cell numbers and cellular weight.