[Influence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase on rat adrenal 11-beta-hydroxylase].

Previous work has shown NADPH to be a necessary cofactor in adrenal production of steroids. Synthesis is, in effect, a function of dehydrogenase activity and the adrenals are particularly rich in these enzymes. The present paper deals with an appraisal of the importance of G 6-PD as a source of NADPH for mitochondrial hydroxylation. 11-beta-hydroxylation was used as parameter. It was found that the activity of this enzyme, and hence NAPDH production, was stimulated by the administration of ACTH; no parallel increase in 11-beta-hydroxylase activity was noted.