Effects of 25-hydroxycholesterol and aminoglutethimide in isolated rat adrenal cells. A model for congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia?

The production of corticosterone from 25-hydroxycholesterol by isolated rat adrenal cells is inhibited by aminoglutethimide phosphate (AGI); half-maximal inhibition is obtained at ca. 10 muM. AGI also inhibits ACTH-stimulated steroid production from endogeneous substrates; here half-maximal inhibition is obtained with ca. 40 muM AGI. In the presence of ACTH + AGI, 25-hydroxycholesterol causes additive inhibition. This effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol is dose-dependent. ACTH-stimulated steroid production from endogeneous substrates is partially inhibited by 5-cholene-3 beta,24-diol. These results may just reflect substrate competition for the side-chain cleaving system or may be due to some seocndary toxic effect on the cells.