Immunohistochemical demonstration of adrenodoxin reductase in bovine and human adrenals

Adrenodoxin reductase (ADR) was purified from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria and specific antibody was raised in rabbits. Immunohistochemical analysis of ADR was performed in the bovine and human adrenals. ADR was present in all of the zones in both bovine and non-pathological human adrenal cortex. In non-pathological human adrenals, the immunoreactivity was particularly prominent in the zona glomerulosa (ZG) and reticularis (ZR). Intensive immunoreactivity was observed in the ZG and some cells of the outer fasciculata and the ZR in the adrenal glands with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism. In adrenal glands with Cushing's disease, immunoreactivity was present in the compact cells of cortical micronodules. In all cases, sites of immunoreactivity correspond to sites of increased steroidogenesis. In aldosteronoma and cortical adenoma with Cushing's syndrome, the immunoreactivity was generally marked in compact cells but not in large cells with clear cytoplasm, ADR was present in the ZG and the ZR, and the ZG in the non-neoplastic adrenal glands attached to aldosteronoma and Cushing's adenoma, respectively. ADR was present in the compact cells in adrenocortical carcinoma clinically manifesting Cushing's syndrome.