Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1975 Nov;3(5):375-83.  

Studies on isolated rat adrenal cells metabolism of hydroxylated sterols.

Falke HE, Degenhart HJ, Abeln GJ, Visser HK.

Corticosterone production by isolated rat adrenal cells in the absence of ACTH
is stimulated by 20alpha-hydroxycholesterol, 22R-hydroxycholesterol and
25-hydroxycholesterol. This effect is also seen at sub-maximal ACTH
concentrations. Aminoglutethimide (AGI) inhibits the stimulation caused by the
three hydroxylated cholesterols. In the presence of ACTH, AGI also inhibits
steroid production both under control conditions and in the presence of the
sterols. The stimulation by 25-hydroxycholesterol is dose-dependent, both in the
presence and absence of a sub-maximal ACTH concentration. At maximal ACTH
concentrations 25-hydroxycholesterol does not give additional stimulation.
Cycloheximide has no effect on corticosterone production from
25-hydroxycholesterol whether ACTH is present or not. Our results indicate that
25-hydroxycholesterol is a good substrate for the study of the cholesterol
side-chain cleaving system and the mechanism of action of ACTH at the levels of
the intact cell.

PMID: 172394 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]