PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Malaval

Publications and source records attributed to F Malaval.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The corticotropin-releasing factor release in rat hypophysial portal blood is mediated by brain catecholamines.

In order to study the involvement of the hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in catecholamine-induced adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion, we have measured CRF levels in rat hypophysial portal blood (HPB) after the pharmacological destruction of the ventral noradrenergic bundle (VNAB), using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) stereotaxically injected into the VNAB. CRF levels in HPB were measured by radioimmunoassay, and the effects of 6-OHDA injection were controlled by the determination of catecholamine concentrations in the total hypothalamus. VNAB lesions induced a dramatic decrease in norepinephrine and epinephrine hypothalamic concentration. The CRF levels in HPB were also significantly reduced. These results suggest that central catecholamines exert a direct stimulatory control on the CRF release and play a major role in stress-induced ACTH secretion.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Further evidence for a central stimulatory action of catecholamines on adrenocorticotropin release in the rat.

Catecholamines may stimulate ACTH secretion during stress. To investigate the nature and site of such an action, plasma ACTH was measured in four groups of unanesthetized adult female rats with an indwelling carotid cannula. Sequential 300-microliter blood samples were taken 60 min, 30 min, and immediately before an intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of 2.5 microliter adrenaline or noradrenaline and 5, 15, 45, 60, and 120 min after the infusion. The four groups were: 1) intact rats; 2) rats infused 7 days after undergoing a discrete bilateral lesion of the ventral noradrenergic ascending bundle caused by 6-hydroxydopamine, which depleted their hypothalamic adrenaline and noradrenaline levels by 90% and 80%, respectively; 3) rats infused 30 min after pretreatment via the icv route with either prazosin or propranolol; and 4) rats infused 16 and 2 h after two successive intracarotid injections of an anti-rCRH-41 serum. In another group, the effects of icv catecholamine administration were compared with those of an intracerebral (ic) microinfusion close to a single paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Finally, in two additional groups blood was sampled at the above-mentioned times before and after a 2-min ether inhalation by intact rats or prazosin- and/or propranolol-pretreated rats. In the intact rats (group 1), a stress-like stimulatory dose response was noted after both adrenaline and noradrenaline infusions, with a half-maximal effect at concentrations of about 0.6 nmol and a maximal effect at 2.7 nmol or more. At maximally effective doses, adrenaline was significantly more active than noradrenaline. In the rats with ventral noradrenergic ascending bundle lesions (group 2), 2.7 nM adrenaline or noradrenaline stimulated ACTH release as in the controls without lesions. In group 3, prazosin blocked the ACTH responses to both adrenaline and noradrenaline, whereas propranolol only blocked the response to adrenaline. In group 4, i.e. rats pretreated with an anti-rCRH-41 serum, the amplitude of the ACTH surge after icv adrenaline or noradrenaline infusion was halved. A unilateral ic catecholamine microinfusion next to the PVN (half the icv dose given in group 1) led to a rapid ACTH release that peaked at half the response measured in the icv infused rats. Ether stress-induced ACTH release was decreased by 50-60% after icv pretreatment with 1 or 10 micrograms prazosin, 1 or 6.5 micrograms propranolol, or a combined dose comprising 1 microgram of both. The following conclusions were reached.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[Adrenergic activation of the liberation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH41) in the median eminence of unanesthetized rats].

To shed light on the persistent controversy concerning the role of central adrenergic systems in the corticotropic axis, we measured the effects of adrenaline on the release of IR-rCRH41 into a push-pull cannula stereotaxically implanted in the median eminence. Eight days before experimentation, the cannula was implanted, under deep anesthesia, at which time a standard cannula was additionally placed in the lateral ventricle (i.c.v.). The rats were not anesthetized during the main experiment. An i.c.v. injection of 5 microliter of solvent only slightly affected the release of CRH41, whereas an i.c.v. infusion of 1.4 micrograms adrenaline bitartrate under the same conditions led to an instantaneous, but short-lived, 8-fold rise in the CRH41 release above baseline. The data provide the first demonstration of a central stimulatory effect of adrenaline on the secretory activity of CRH41 producing neurons, in unanesthetized, free-moving rats.

Animals↗

Plasma ACTH and corticosterone responses to limbic kindling in the rat.

Changes in plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations were measured in individual cannulated rats at stages 1 and 5 of limbic kindling induced by electrical stimulation of the basolateral amygdala or the dorsal hippocampus. At both stages, a stimulation of either structure produced swift surges, first of ACTH and then of corticosterone. At stage 5 of hippocampal stimulation, ACTH baseline concentrations were four times higher than in the controls. The results are discussed in relation to the central control of the adrenocorticotropic system and to the neuroendocrine correlates of the kindling process.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Diurnal-stimulated and stress-induced ACTH release in rats is mediated by ventral noradrenergic bundle.

Female rats were bilaterally injected with 3 micrograms of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) dissolved in 0.2 microliter saline, via a glass micropipet stereotaxically implanted into the ventral noradrenergic-ascending bundle (VNAB). This bundle conveys most of the catecholaminergic innervation to the paraventricular nuclei and originates from the locus coeruleus and from two medullary groups of neurons (A1 and A2). Two weeks after injection, and 1 wk after the subsequent implantation of an arterial cannula, serial blood samples were taken from each rat over a 36-h period for assay of basal secretion patterns of ACTH and corticosterone (C) by radioimmunoassay and radiocompetition, respectively. Other blood samples were collected at short intervals over a 2-h period to explore the stress-ether responses of both hormones. Effects of 6-OHDA injections on catecholaminergic innervation were attested by the striking decrease in the histofluorescence of hypothalamic catecholamines and by the 86% drop in the hypothalamic noradrenaline concentrations measured by high-performance liquid chromatography at constant dopamine titers. Compared with control, sham-lesioned rats, pharmacological destruction of the VNAB by 6-OHDA led to 1) obliteration of the circadian patterns for ACTH and C and the emergence in their place of ultradian fluctuations of reduced amplitude above base-line levels and 2) 80% inhibition of the ACTH stress response which correlated with a short-lived, depressed C response. These results are discussed within the framework of the controversial literature on the mechanisms by which catecholamines may control corticotropic function.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[Passive immunization with an anti-oCRF41 immune serum inhibits the circadian increase of plasma ACTH in rats].

For 24 hrs. after i.v. injection of 1 ml of an undiluted immune serum raised against oCRF41, the diurnal surge of plasma ACTH dropped to a short-lived limited rise above baseline level. On the second day after injection, the ACTH level in treated rats rose to a subnormal level, although both plasma dilution of the immune serum and its binding capacity in the plasma remained unchanged throughout the experiment. Plasma corticosterone, on the contrary, displayed a normal circadian rhythm during the entire experiment. However, in animals given a second injection of 0.5 ml oCRF41 immune serum 32 hrs. after the first, both ACTH and corticosterone titers fell rapidly below their circadian minimal levels in controls. Concomitantly, the concentration of immune serum in the peripheral plasma, and its capacity to bind to oCRF, rose by 50%. The major role of CRF41 as a diurnal trigger of the circadian rhythm of ACTH is discussed, as well as the limits of passive immunization.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[Evaluation of the inhibitory effect of circulating corticosteroids on circadian stimulated and stress induced secretion of ACTH in rats].

Male rats were bilaterally adrenalectomized in order to measure the extent of inhibition exerted by endogenous corticosteroids on both basal ACTH secretion along its circadian rhythm and ether-stress induced ACTH secretion. In intact controls, plasma ACTH levels at the circadian maximum exceeded by 4 times the circadian minimum, and ACTH response 15 min after ether-stress surpassed the circadian minimum by 20 times. In adrenalectomized rats, the daily minimum was 8 times that of the controls. Nevertheless the circadian maximum was 3 times above the rhythm's minimum, while the maximal stress response (15 min) surpassed the circadian minimum by 8 times. In adrenalectomized rats supplemented with a solid source of corticosterone inducing a stable plasma corticosterone level equivalent to the controls' circadian minimum (3 micrograms/100 ml), the ACTH rhythm still fluctuated twice as high as in intact controls. The tonic feed-back inhibition exerted by endogenous corticosteroids on ACTH secretion appeared thus significantly stronger than the GABAergic inhibition to the corticotropic system which was previously studied under similar standard conditions.

Adrenalectomy↗

Androgen control of transcortin binding capacity in adult male ducks.

In adult male ducks submitted to marked variations in plasma testosterone concentration, plasma transcortin (CBG) levels were shown to be closely related to the level of plasma testosterone. In connection with previous data on female ducks, the results strongly support the evidence that at least in this species, CBG is under a stimulatory control by testosterone.

Animals↗

Acute and delayed effects of picrotoxin on the adrenocorticotropic system of rats.

To investigate the possible effect of GABA on the corticotropic system, the potent GABA antagonist picrotoxin was injected into two groups of 14 female rats at 07.00 h and 19.00 h, respectively. A single subconvulsive I.p. injection dramatically raised plasma ACTH and corticosterone, and thereafter suppressed the circadian rhythm of ACTH, but not of corticosterone, for 24 h in the group injected at 07.00 h and for 48 h in the one injected at 19.00 h and increased mean hormonal levels. Results are discussed in the light of the possibility that inhibition by the GABAergic system and stimulation by the serotoninergic system might be components of the mechanism controlling the circadian rhythm of ACTH.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

CNS control of the circadian adrenocortical rhythm.

The effects of various CNS impairments on the circadian rhythm of plasma ACTH and Corticosterone (C) were studied in individual cannulated female Sprague-Dawley rats. Pinealectomy had no effect whatever the light perception (intact or blinded rats). Bilateral ablation of paraventricular nuclei did not obliterate the hormonal rhythms, although the rhythms' amplitude were markedly depressed. On the other hand, destruction of suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) or systemic blockade of the serotoninergic (5-HT) system by pCPA blocked ACTH rhythm at baseline levels, although circadian or ultradian fluctuations with normal amplitudes persisted for C. Similar effect was observed in several blinded rats with raphe lesions suppressing 5-HT innervation of SCN. Daily 5-HTP injections, if given 4 h after dawn restored normal ACTH rhythm. The respective role of related structures in the rhythms' control will be discussed.

Adrenal Cortex↗

[Persistance of phase-coupling between the circadian rhythms of hypophyseal hormones in free-running rats].

The circadian rhythms in plasma ACTH, TSH, LH and PRL were explored in sighted or blind, spayed and estrogen-implanted rats. A marked endogenous circadian rhythmicity was shown to persist in the blind animals for the 4 endocrine rhythms. The endogenous rhythms also kept very close reciprocal phase relationship as in the synchronized state, and they were peaking almost simultaneously, after 60 d. of free-running. Finally the endogenous hormonal rhythm maintained their usual phase relationships with the endogenous activity rhythm, so that the circadian phase of increased hormonal secretion coincided with the circadian resting phase of the sleep/wake rhythm. These results are discussed in the light of the alternate theory of one vs multiple but phase-locked circadian pacemakers driving endocrine and behavioral circadian rhythms.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[Persistence of circadian rhythms of plasma ACTH and corticosterone after pinealectomy in sighted or blind rats].

The possible effects of pinealectomy on the corticotropic system was studied in either sighted or ocular enucleated adult female Rats. Individual ACTH and corticosterone measurements were performed on sequential plasma samples obtained over a 48 hrs period from a carotid implanted cannula. Compared with their respective sighted or blind controls, pinealectomized Rats displayed no alteration in the hormonal rhythms' periodicity, phase, mean level and amplitude. On the other hand, ocular enucleation, whether or not associated with pinealectomy depressed the amplitude and to a lesser extent the mean level of the ACTH rhythm, and paradoxically increased the corticosterone rhythm's mean level. While no pineal factors appear therefore required for a normal corticotropic rhythmicity, the possible regulating role of retinal melatonin may be discussed.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Effects of raphe lesions on circadian ACTH, corticosterone and motor activity rhythms in free-running blinded rats.

Blinded female rats underwent additional midbrain raphe lesions, in order to explore the role of the raphe in the organization of endogenous circadian rhythms for ACTH, corticosterone (B) and motor activity (MA). Amplitudes and mean levels of rhythms were depressed for ACTH and MA, with persistent free-running circadian periodicity for MA and, in several rats, for ACTH and B as well. Other rats exhibited split circadian and ultradian rhythmicity for ACTH and B, whereas other again displayed no detectable ACTH rhythmicity. These results are discussed in the light of the structure of circadian pacemaker systems.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Evidence of a sex related difference of transcortin level in adult ducks.

Corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) serum level as evaluated by either equilibrium dialysis or gel filtration was found to be higher in male than in female adult ducks during the reproductive period. Castration did not modify CBG concentrations in females, whereas in males it induced a significant decreased in CBG, to the level observed in intact or castrated females. Testosterone injections administrated to castrated females increased CBG to the level of adult intact males. Finally it was found that testosterone stimulated CBG production in ducks without altering thyroxine levels.

Animals↗

[Effects of the destruction of the suprachiasmatic nuclei on the circadian rhythms of ACTH corticosterone and the general activity of female rats exposed to a aperiodic environment].

The effects of bilateral destruction of suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) on the temporal patterns of plasma concentrations in ACTH and corticosterone (sequential blood samples from an aortic cannula, at 4 h intervals over 48 h) and of general activity (stabilimeter recordings) were studied in female rats under constant illumination (LL : 10 lx). Under this arrhythmic environment, the SCN lesions induced a syndrome similar to that previously described in a photoperiodic environment (12 L-12 D). This SCN syndrome included : 1) blockade of the ACTH rhythm at baseline levels ; 2) maintained fluctuations of corticosterone, with either circadian or ultradian profiles ; 3) persistent rhythmicity of general activity, with a circadian periodicity in addition to ultradian periods. The persistence of a circadian rhythmicity in the SCN syndrome under arrhythmic environmental conditions, clearly argues in favour of the occurrence of endogenous components of the circadian pacemaker outside the SCN.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Neural control of circadian rhythms in plasma ACTH, plasma corticosterone and motor activity.

The circadian rhythms for plasma ACTH and corticosterone (B), as well as motor activity, were explored in female rats after ocular enucleation (O-X), stereotaxic lesion of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN-X) or of midbrain raphe nuclei (R-X), or both O-X and R-X, pharmacological blockade of the serotoninergic (5HT) system by pCPA, sometimes bypassed by 5-HTP, or 5-HT denervation of the SCN by local injection of 5,7-DHT. The three circadian rhythms explored responded quite differently to the treatments. In particular, the ACTH and B rhythms lost their usual close correlations. The amplitude and mean level of ACTH fluctuations were depressed after all treatments, but remained normal or were enhanced for B rhythm. ACTH rhythmicity actually was undetectable after SCN-X, pCPA and, in several rats, combined O-X and R-X, whereas persisting circadian and/or ultradian B and locomotor activity rhythms were always measured. The participation of the suprachiasmatic nuclei, the midbrain raphe nuclei and other possible 5-HT components in a complex circadian pacemaker system is discussed.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[Stress responses of the ACTH-corticosterone and LH-testosterone systems in male rats given naloxone].

A single injection of naloxone (1 mg/kg s. c.) increased plasma baseline levels by 6 times for ACTH, 17 times for corticosterone, 3 times for LH and 2 times for testosterone. A concomitant ether-stress induced a further 6 fold increment in ACTH and an additional 2 fold increment in corticosterone, both hormones attaining their similar levels to those after ether-stress alone. On the other hand no further increment was observed for LH and testosterone, which actually were more stimulated by naloxone than by stress alone. The tonic inhibition exerted by endogenous opiates on ACTH and LH appears, therefore, to interfere with stress in a different way for the two neuroendocrine systems considered.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗