Pharmakologische Charakterisierung der Wirkungen von Glukokortikoiden auf die Atmungskette und die ATP-Synthese in adrenokortikotrophen Hypophysenzellen (AtT20)

In order to characterize effects of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone on parameters of mitochondrial energy metabolism, we conducted in vitro trials, using a murine AtT20 cell line. The experimental parameters were the ATP-concentration and a mitochondrial function test (EZ4U). After longterm incubation (>30 min.), we found suppressing effects on the experimental parameters. After shortterm incubation (≤30 min.), the effects were either increasing or suppressing the experimental parameters, and dose-dependent. The shortterm effects in the mitochondrial function test could not be blocked by the glucocorticoid-receptor-antagonist RU38486. The effects observed are presumably nongenomic in nature and could be involved in regulation or impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.