Lipid metabolism in the adrenal gland

The adrenal gland consists of the medulla and the cortex. The chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla release catecholamines via regulated exocytosis. Vesicle formation, trafficking, maturation and fusion with the plasma membrane are orchestrated by lipids such as cholesterol, diacylglycerol, phosph...

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Main Authors: Anika Aderhold, Vasileia Ismini Alexaki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1577505/full
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author Anika Aderhold
Vasileia Ismini Alexaki
author_facet Anika Aderhold
Vasileia Ismini Alexaki
author_sort Anika Aderhold
collection DOAJ
description The adrenal gland consists of the medulla and the cortex. The chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla release catecholamines via regulated exocytosis. Vesicle formation, trafficking, maturation and fusion with the plasma membrane are orchestrated by lipids such as cholesterol, diacylglycerol, phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate. On the other hand, the adrenal cortex is a highly specialized lipid-metabolizing organ secreting steroid hormones. Cholesterol, acquired from circulating lipoproteins and de novo biosynthesis, is mobilized from intracellular stores and transported to mitochondria to be used as a substrate for steroidogenesis. Steroidogenesis is regulated by free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and an increased PUFA content in phospholipids promotes steroidogenesis. Cholesterol efflux and lipid-processing macrophages further contribute to lipid homeostasis in the adrenal gland. Given that lipidomics have revolutionized our perception of cell function, we anticipate that this will also hold true for the investigation of adrenocortical function. Such investigations may pinpoint novel targets for the management of abnormal adrenal function.
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spelling doaj-art-be402e2535cf4887bc26ea7bb0d91f7e2025-08-20T03:45:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-06-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15775051577505Lipid metabolism in the adrenal glandAnika AderholdVasileia Ismini AlexakiThe adrenal gland consists of the medulla and the cortex. The chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla release catecholamines via regulated exocytosis. Vesicle formation, trafficking, maturation and fusion with the plasma membrane are orchestrated by lipids such as cholesterol, diacylglycerol, phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate. On the other hand, the adrenal cortex is a highly specialized lipid-metabolizing organ secreting steroid hormones. Cholesterol, acquired from circulating lipoproteins and de novo biosynthesis, is mobilized from intracellular stores and transported to mitochondria to be used as a substrate for steroidogenesis. Steroidogenesis is regulated by free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and an increased PUFA content in phospholipids promotes steroidogenesis. Cholesterol efflux and lipid-processing macrophages further contribute to lipid homeostasis in the adrenal gland. Given that lipidomics have revolutionized our perception of cell function, we anticipate that this will also hold true for the investigation of adrenocortical function. Such investigations may pinpoint novel targets for the management of abnormal adrenal function.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1577505/fulllipid metabolismadrenal cortexadrenal medullacholesterol metabolismphospholipidscortisol
spellingShingle Anika Aderhold
Vasileia Ismini Alexaki
Lipid metabolism in the adrenal gland
Frontiers in Endocrinology
lipid metabolism
adrenal cortex
adrenal medulla
cholesterol metabolism
phospholipids
cortisol
title Lipid metabolism in the adrenal gland
title_full Lipid metabolism in the adrenal gland
title_fullStr Lipid metabolism in the adrenal gland
title_full_unstemmed Lipid metabolism in the adrenal gland
title_short Lipid metabolism in the adrenal gland
title_sort lipid metabolism in the adrenal gland
topic lipid metabolism
adrenal cortex
adrenal medulla
cholesterol metabolism
phospholipids
cortisol
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1577505/full
work_keys_str_mv AT anikaaderhold lipidmetabolismintheadrenalgland
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