| Objective: To observe the effects of triptolide on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenalaxis (HPAA) of rats in light of morphological and functional changes.Methods: Respectively, for consecutive90days.Determination in the9groups wasconducted concerning the contents of blood plasma cortisol(COR),adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)and corticotrophin-releasinghormone(CRH) besides measurement of the rats’ body weight, coefficient of theadrenal gland and observation of the histopathological changes in fascicular zone ofadrenal cortex.Results:（1）The content of COR in the groups of triptolide acetate appearedlower.The content of ACTH in the groups of triptolide and acetate appeared higher,but ACTH in the high group of triptolide showed significant difference. Thecontent of CRH in the both groups of triptolide were augmented higher as comparedwith the control group (P<0.05).(2)The rats’ weight in the groups of triptolide weredeclined, and yet, the coefficient of the adrenal gland remained no significant changein comparison with the controls. HE staining and electron microscopy examinationrevealed thinned and constricted zona fasciculate in adrenal gland in the rats oftriptolide acetate, with hypofunction.Conclusion Morphologically and functionally, the findings suggest that long-term useof triptolide may result in atrophied cortex and hypofunction of the adrenalgland,leading to augmented production and secretion of CRH and ACTH fromrespective hypothalamic and pituitary. |
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