The patterns of rna synthesis and induction of glycogenic enzymes in rat liver under continuous cortisol administration

The synthesis of DNA-dependent RNA and of the enzymes of gluconeogenesis was studied under prolonged cortisol administration. Daily cortisol administration to rats for 15–22 days results in significant decrease and even loss of the capacity of liver cells to react to hormone administration by enhanced synthesis of RNA and enzymes of gluconeogenesis. At the same time the cells retain their capacity to insulin induction. Based on experiments on cellular nuclei in vitro it is postulated that because of prolonged cortisol administration changes occur in the chromatin of liver cells leading to the impairment of their capacity to be induced.