Effects of compound X, a novel potent inhibitor of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol O-acyltransferase, on the adrenal gland of rats

To investigate the adrenal toxicity of a novel inhibitor of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol O-acyltransferase, compound X (CX), histopathological examinations, fat staining, adrenal cholesterol measurement, blood biochemistry, plasma corticosterone and ACTH measurement, ACTH-stimulation assay, and adrenal gene-expression analyses were done in rats in repeated-dose studies (experiment 1: 0, 3, 10, 30 and 150 mg/kg for 4, 8, 15 and 28 days; experiment 2: 0, 3, 10,30 and 150 mg/kg for 28 days; experiment 3: 0, 10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg for 28 days). CX induced morphologic changes such as vacuolation and hypertrophy in the zona fasciculata (ZF) at ≥10 mg/kg, and eosinophilic changes in the ZF at 150 mg/kg. Vacuolation decreased in a dose-dependent manner and was replaced by eosinophilic changes. Inflammatory and fibrous changes were observed at ≥30 mg/kg. These changes were expressed at early stages of dosing and were not exacerbated by extension of the administration period. Oil-red-O/Filipin staining showed depletion of cholesterol ester in dose-dependent manner and enabled adrenal cholesterol measurement. Filipin staining also revealed vacuoles to be composed of cholesterol esters. No significant changes were observed during the dosing period of CX for plasma corticosterone and ACTH levels. Gene-expression analyses showed up-regulation of Star and Abca1 mRNA levels at 300 mg/kg. In conclusion, CX induced adrenal toxicity, but CX did not influence adrenocortical functions, and exacerbation of adrenal toxicities by extension of the administration period was not observed. Up-regulation of genes related to the transport of FC, such as Star and Abca1, were observed in CX groups, and these genes may be involved in the maintenance of adrenal structure and function in rats given CX.