Effect of compound 48/80 on mast cells and histamine levels in rat brain and on corticosterone secretion.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Bugajski.
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Nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme responsible for nitric oxide (NO) formation has been found in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and median eminence, structures closely associated with regulation of the pituitary activity, and the pituitary gland itself. Nitric oxide modulates the stimulated release of CRH from the rat hypothalamus in vitro, which suggests its role in regulating the secretion of ACTH from the pituitary corticotrops and of corticosterone from the adrenal cortex. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the yet unknown role of endogenous NO in the HPA response to central cholinergic stimulation in conscious rats. Neither L-arginine an NO precursor, nor the NO synthase blockers N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) caused any consistent changes in the basal serum corticosterone levels. L-arginine, given in higher doses (120-150 mg/kg ip) 15 min prior to icv carbachol (2 micrograms), markedly diminished the carbachol-induced rise in corticosterone secretion. Systemic pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (5 mg/kg) significantly raised the carbachol-elicited corticosterone response, while addition of L-arginine completely blocked the effect of L-NAME. A similar increase in the carbachol-induced corticosterone response was produced by icv pretreatment with L-NAME (2 micrograms), indicating a central site of the NO interaction with cholinergic stimulation of the HPA response. L-NAME is a weak inhibitor of neuronal NOS itself, and must first be de-estrified to N omega-nitro-L-arginine to potently inhibit this enzyme. Systemic (10 mg/kg) and icv (1 microgram) pretreatment with L-NNA enhanced more effectively the carbachol-induced rise in corticosterone secretion than did pretreatment with L-NAME by either route. These results are the first direct evidence that endogenous NO significantly inhibits the HPA response to central cholinergic, muscarinic receptor stimulation under in vivo conditions.
The role of prostaglandins (PGs) in stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by adrenergic agonists and catecholamines was investigated in nonanesthetized rats. The cyclooxygenase and PGs synthesis inhibitor indomethacin was given systemically or intracerebroventricularly (icv) 15 min prior to phenylephrine (30 micrograms), clonidine (10 micrograms), and isoproterenol (20 micrograms), an alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, respectively, or noradrenaline (10 micrograms) and adrenaline (10 micrograms). Indomethacin given ip (2 mg/kg) or icv (10 micrograms) almost abolished the increase in corticosterone secretion elicited by phenylephrine, considerably reduced the response to clonidine but did not markedly affect the response to isoproterenol. Pretreatment with indomethacin by either route strongly suppressed the corticosterone response to noradrenaline, but did not substantially affect the hormonal response to adrenaline. The above data indicate that prostaglandins considerably mediate the HPA axis response to central stimulation of alpha 1- and alpha 2-, but not beta-adrenergic receptors. They also point to significant involvement of prostaglandins in the noradrenaline-, but not adrenaline-induced HPA axis predominantly via alpha 1-and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors, whereas adrenaline exerts stimulation manly via beta-adrenergic receptors.
The role of prostaglandins (PGs) on the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)- and vasopressin (AVP)-induced pituitary-adrenocortical response under basal and social stress circumstances was investigated. Crowding stress applied for 3 days did not diminish the CRH-elicited corticosterone response, but it considerably reduced such a response to AVP. In control rats systemic or icv pretreatment with indomethacin, an inhibitor of PGs synthesis, did not affect the corticosterone response to ip or icv CRH administered 15 min later. By contrast, ip or icv pretreatment with indomethacin considerably reduced the corticosterone response to AVP given by either route in control rats. Similarly, ip pretreatment with indomethacin further reduced the corticosterone response to AVP already diminished by crowding stress. These results indicate that hypothalamic and anterior pituitary PGs are not involved in the CRH-elicited pituitary-adrenocortical response, but they significantly mediate this response to AVP under both basal and social stress circumstances.
Involvement of prostaglandins (PGs) and histamine in the hypothalamus and hippocampus in the clonidine-induced pituitary-adrenocortical response was investigated in conscious rats. The hypothalamic-pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) activity was assessed indirectly by measuring corticosterone secretion. Clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, given intracerebroventricularly (10 micrograms icv), considerably increased the serum corticosterone and hypothalamic histamine levels and markedly elevated the hippocampal histamine levels. Systemic or icv pretreatment with indomethacin (2 mg/kg or 10 micrograms), an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, significantly reduced the clonidine-induced corticosterone response and abolished the increase in the hypothalamic and hippocampal histamine levels elicited by clonidine. Indomethacin in the doses used did not substantially change the resting serum corticosterone or hypothalamic and hippocampal histamine levels. These results indicate that prostaglandins and hypothalamic histamine are considerably involved in the HPA response to alpha 2-adrenergic receptor stimulation. They also suggest involvement of prostaglandins and histamine of the hippocampus in the clonidine-induced HPA response.
Role of the prostaglandins (PGs) in the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by the adrenergic agonists, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (VP) in rats under basal and social stress conditions was investigated. Systemic or intracerebroventricular (icv) pretreatment with indomethacin powerfully reduced the corticosterone response to ivc phenylephrine, and alpha 1-receptor agonist, significantly diminished the response to clonidine, an alpha 2-receptor agonist, but did not alter the response to isoprenaline, a beta-adrenergic agonist. Consequently, indomethacin considerably reduced the corticosterone response to noradrenaline, and alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, but did not change the response to adrenaline, a predominant beta-adrenergic agonist. Thus, prostaglandins considerably mediate the HPA activity stimulated via central alpha 1- and alpha 2- but not beta-adrenergic receptors. Social crowding stress for 3 days did not affect the corticosterone response to ip or icv CRH, but drastically reduced the response to VP. In stressed rats indomethacin did not alter the corticosterone response to CRH but significantly further impaired the diminished by stress corticosterone response to VP. Neither social stress nor endogenous prostaglandins affected the responsiveness of the CRH system. By contrast, both social stress and prostaglandins considerably diminished the HPA response to VP. The above results indicate that both these neurohormone systems have a distinct mode of adaptation and interaction with PG systems during social stress. Interleukins, particularly IL-1 beta and IL-6, activate the HPA axis. Most immunological stimuli and interleukins also activate both the central and the peripheral noradrenergic systems. Activation of the HPA axis in vivo depends on the secretion of CRH, an intact pituitary and the ventral adrenergic bundle innervating the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Interleukins may cross the blood-brain-barrier or be produced in the CNS to stimulate their receptors in brain structures involved in the regulation of the HPA axis.
Involvement of histamine receptors and hypothalamic and hippocampal histamine in stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by vasopressin (AVP) was investigated in conscious rats. The HPA activity was assessed by measuring serum corticosterone levels. One hour after administration AVP, (5 micrograms/kg) given i.p. significantly raised the serum corticosterone and hippocampal histamine levels, while the hypothalamic histamine content was not affected. Pretreatment with the inhibitor of the brain histamine synthesis alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (alpha-FMH) (50 mg/kg i.p.) considerably reduced both the AVP-elicited serum corticosterone response and the hypothalamic and hippocampal histamine levels. The histamine H1- and H2-receptor-antagonists mepyramine (0.01 mg/kg) and ranitidine (0.1 mg/kg), given ip 15 min prior to AVP, significantly impaired the AVP-induced rise in the serum corticosterone level and totally abolished the AVP-elicited increase in the histamine content in the hippocampus; moreover mepyramine significantly lowered this content in hypothalamus. Pretreatment with the histamine H3-receptor antagonist thioperamide (5 mg/kg i.p.) also significantly decreased the AVP-elicited corticosterone response, but did not alter the histamine content in either brain structure examined. These results indicate that central histamine H1-, H20 and H3-receptors significantly mediate the stimulatory action of AVP on the pituitary-adrenocortical axis. Hippocampal histamine may be involved in mediation of the AVP-induced effect via H1- and H2-receptors. The inhibitory effect of thioperamide seems to be located directly at non H3-intracellular sites of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis.
The significance of enkephalins for the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, in spite of many efforts, is still elusive. We investigated the effect of leucine- and methionine-enkephalin on the HPA activity in conscious rats. These enkephalins, given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) increased dose-dependently the activity of the HPA axis, measured indirectly through serum corticosterone levels. On a molar basis, leu-enkephalin exerted a stronger effect that met-enkephalin. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, given i.c.v. prior to enkephalins almost abolished the corticosterone response to met-enkephalin and significantly impaired the response to leu-enkephalin. Prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, considerably reduced the increase in serum corticosterone levels induced by both enkephalins. Pretreatment of rats with yohimbine, an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, also considerably reduced the corticosterone response to met-enkephalin and significantly diminished the response induced by leu-enkephalin. Naloxone and yohimbine inhibited to the same extent the corticosterone response to met- and leu-enkephalin. This suggests an interaction between presynaptic opioid and alpha 2-receptors in regulation of the HPA function. Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, given i.c.v. did not alter the corticosterone levels raised by met- and leu-enkephalin. These results indicate that both met- and leu-enkephalin increase the activity of the HPA axis in rats and both central opioid and adrenergic alpha-receptors are involved in this stimulation.
To evaluate the effect of social crowding stress on the CRH and vasopressin-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) response, both those neuropeptides were administered intracerebroventricularly and intraperitoneally to rats crowded for 3 days. Crowding stress did not affect the corticosterone response to CRH given by either route (1 micrograms i.c.v. or 2 micrograms/kg i.p.) but totally abolished or considerably diminished the response to vasopressin given i.p. (5 micrograms/kg) or i.c.v. (5 micrograms), respectively. Social crowding stress considerably impairs central vasopressin but does not change the CRH-system involved in the HPA stimulation.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The significance of adrenergic neurons and anterior pituitary and hypothalamic adrenergic receptors in stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (AVP) was investigated under basal conditions and after three-days crowding stress in conscious rats. In nonstressed rats the corticosterone response to phenylephrine, an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonist, was totally abolished or considerably reduced by prazosin, an alpha 1-receptor antagonist, when both those drugs were given ip or icv, respectively. The corticosterone response to ip isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, was abolished by icv or ip pretreatment with propranolol, a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist. These results indicate involvement of functional alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary corticotrops and pituitary beta-adrenoceptors in stimulation of the HPA axis. AVP given ip was almost as potent as CRH in stimulating corticosterone secretion. The stimulatory effect of AVP given ip or icv on corticosterone secretion was significantly diminished by propranolol, but not prazosin or yohimbine, indicating an involvement of beta-adrenergic receptors. The specific noradrenergic neurotoxin DSP-4, given ip 11 days before the experiment, considerably diminished the hypothalamic noradrenaline (NA) level but did not influence the resting and icv CRH- or AVP-stimulated corticosterone secretion. In nonstressed rats CRH further enhanced significantly the DSP-4-elicited fall in hypothalamic NA, whereas AVP almost totally prevented that decrease. In stressed rats CRH considerably antagonized the DSP-4-induced decrease in the hypothalamic NA level while AVP did not affect that decrease. The CRH- and AVP-elicited changes in hypothalamic NA were not correlated with changes in corticosterone secretion. Tree-day crowding stress did not affect the CRH-induced corticosterone secretion, whereas it considerably reduced the AVP-evoked corticosterone response. These results indicate that pituitary and hypothalamic adrenergic receptors are significantly involved in the AVP- and CRH-induced HPA axis stimulation, but the hypothalamic NA level, though modified by these peptides, does not significantly influence the HPA response.
A possible involvement of hypothalamic histamine and histamine receptors in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activity stimulated by Met-enkephalinamide (DADM) was investigated indirectly by corticosterone secretion in conscious rats. DADM, a delta-opioid receptor agonist, given intracerebroventricularly (i.v.c.) induced a significant increase in the serum corticosterone level, which was considerably reduced by ip or icv pretreatment with naltrexone, an opioid antagonist. Pretreatment with alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (alpha-FMH) 20 mg/kg ip or 50 micrograms icv, an inhibitor of the brain histamine synthesis, drastically reduced the hypothalamic histamine level, did not affect the levels of noradrenaline and dopamine, and almost abolished the DADM-induced corticosterone response. Mepyramine and cimetidine, histamine H1- and H2-receptor antagonists, did not substantially change the corticosterone response to DADM. The present results suggest that DADM stimulates the HPA activity via central delta-opioid receptors. They also indicate that the reduction of the HPA response to DADM by alpha-FMH is connected with significant diminution of hypothalamic histamine, but not noradrenaline or dopamine levels. Central histamine receptors do not mediate the metenkephalinamide-induced HPA stimulation.
The effect of compound 48/80, given intracerebroventricularly, on mast cells (MC) and histamine, serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the hypothalamus, thalamus and hippocampus as well as on corticosterone secretion was investigated in rats. A relatively high amount of mast cells was found in the thalamus, a very low in the hypothalamus and almost none in the hippocampus. Compound 48/80 (1 and 5 micrograms) induced MC degranulation, a significant increase in corticosterone secretion and diminution of the thalamic histamine level. The drug also elicited small biphasic changes in histamine level in the hypothalamus and moderately increased serotonin turnover in the brain structures studied, but did not affect noradrenaline level in those structures. These results indicate that brain MC contain a significant amount of histamine, but not serotonin. Compound 48/80 releases histamine from MC, but does not markedly influence neuronal biogenic amines in the brain structures involved in regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
The social stress of crowding for 3, 7 and 14 days considerably reduced the increase in serum corticosterone elicited by intracerebroventricular administration of isoprenaline, a beta-adrenergic agonist, on the 3rd and 7th days of crowding. The corticosterone response to clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, was significantly diminished only after 3 days of crowding and this reduction was paralleled by a significant decrease in hypothalamic histamine content. The stimulatory effect of phenylephrine, an alpha 1-adrenergic agonist, was not significantly changed by crowding stress. Social crowding stress caused almost total and persistent reduction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) responsiveness to noradrenaline which stimulates the HPA axis via both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors.
The effects of the chronic social stress of isolation on changes in brain mast cells (MC), the hypothalamic histamine content and the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis were investigated in rats. Social stress of isolation markedly reduced the total number of brain mast cells, most significantly by 90% in the first day. The extent of MC degranulation, 36-67%, in stressed rats did not significantly differ from that in control animals, 45-58%. Isolation stress substantially, though not significantly, increased the hypothalamic histamine content. The serum corticosterone levels in isolated rats did not significantly differ from the control levels. These results indicate that social stress of isolation considerably diminishes the number of brain MC and suggest that histamine which might be liberated from these cells does not significantly influence the HPA activity.
The effects of social stress of isolation for 3, 7, and 14 days on the responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis to the stimulation of central histamine receptors and on the contents of hypothalamic biogenic amines were investigated. The corticosterone response to intraventricular administration of pyridylethylamine (PEA), a histamine H1-receptor agonist, was significantly higher in isolated than in control rats. The corticosterone response to dimaprit, a histamine H2-receptor agonist, tended to be slightly weaker in the stressed rather than in control rats. PEA significantly diminished the hypothalamic noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin contents in both control and isolated rats. Dimaprit also decreased the brain NA, but not the DA concentrations in control and isolated rats. The changes in monoamines were not correlated with either the time, direction or magnitude of changes in corticosterone levels. These results suggest that hyperresponsiveness of the HPA system to the stimulation of central H1-histamine receptors during social isolation may depend on changes in the efficacy of H1 receptors but not on changes in the brain monoamine levels.