Ultrastructural and biochemical studies in human adrenocortical adenomas associated with primary aldosteronism.

Correlation between ultrastructural features and adrenal steroid hormone contents was studied in two human adrenocortical adenomas associated with primary aldosteronism. In two adrenocortical adenoma cells, large numbers of lipid droplets were characteristically observed in the cytoplasm, these lipid droplets were closely related to the endoplasmic reticula or mitochondria. On the other hand, biochemically, in two adrenocortical adenomas, aldosterone and progesterone were higher than those in the normal parts of the same adrenal glands. Whereas, dehydroepiandrosterone was less than that in the normal parts of the same adrenal glands. From these data, the functional aspects in adrenocortical adenomas associated with primary aldosteronism are discussed.