The Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine
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Adrenal E synthesis is thought to require locally high glucocorticoid concentrations to induce the enzyme PNMT for methylation of NE. By suppressing ACTH secretion, exogenous glucocorticoids may limit secondarily adrenal medullary E production. AG, a competitive inhibitor of adrenal steroidogenesis, also may limit adrenal medullary E synthesis. ⋯ C recipients also had suppressed resting and early reflex (p < 0.01) NE secretion. These results are consistent with the functional importance of the intimate anatomic relationship between the adrenal cortex and medulla. A defect in E-related adrenergic reflexes may occur in patients treated similarly to these experimental groups.