Biomedical subjects

U Knigge

Publications and source records attributed to U Knigge.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Histaminergic neurons are involved in the orexigenic effect of orexin-A.

Orexin-A is an orexigenic peptide expressed mainly in the hypothalamus. Orexin-A increases and anti-orexin-A antibodies decrease food intake. However, the exact mechanism by which orexin-A exerts its orexigenic action is not fully elucidated. The histaminergic system is known to play a role in feeding behavior and we hypothesized that it could be involved in the orexigenic effect of orexin-A. To study this, we used histamine knockout animals and pharmacological blockade of the histaminergic system and studied the effect of orexin-A on feeding behavior and gene expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY). Orexin-A was administered intracerebroventricularly and food intake measured in wild-type, histamine H(1)-receptor knockout or histidine decarboxylase knockout mice. Additionally, we administered orexin-A to wild-type mice with pharmacologically blocked H(1)-receptors or pharmacologically stimulated autoinhibitory H(3)-receptors. By quantitative real-time PCR we measured the effect of orexin-A on NPY mRNA expression in wild-type and knockout mice. Orexin-A dose-dependently stimulated food intake when administered to wild-type mice in doses up to 0.03 microg. Orexin-A in a dose of 0.01 microg increased food intake 10-fold in wild-type mice, whereas no increase in food intake was seen in either knockout mice or pharmacologically manipulated mice. Orexin-A increased NPY mRNA 4-fold in wild-type mice, whereas no change was observed in knockout mice. We conclude that the orexigenic effect of orexin-A is dependent on an intact histaminergic neuronal system and seems to involve an H(1)-receptor mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Multidetector computed tomography and neuroendocrine pancreaticoduodenal tumors.

PURPOSE: To investigate the accuracy of dedicated pancreatic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine pancreaticoduodenal tumors (NPTs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: MDCT and other imaging studies in patients with suspected NPTs were identified. Thirty dedicated MDCT studies were done in 23 patients. Fourteen patients (16 operations) subsequently had surgery. Imaging reports were reviewed and findings compared with surgical findings and findings in other imaging studies. RESULTS: Patients with surgery: 19 NPTs (16 extrapancreatic gastrinomas and 3 pancreatic NPTs) were identified at surgery. MDCT identified 16 and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) 11 out of 19 tumors. Endoscopic ultrasound detected 11 out of 14 NPTs. Patients without surgery: In 4 out of 9 patients, no NPTs were identified at MDCT. CONCLUSION: Dedicated MDCT of the pancreas can identify many NPTs, including small duodenal and periduodenal tumors, and the detection rate is better than reported in the older literature on CT.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

The role of hypothalamic histamine in leptin-induced suppression of short-term food intake in fasted rats.

OBJECTIVE: Leptin suppresses food intake; however, the precise mechanism is not fully understood. Histamine (HA), which acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, has also been shown to be involved in feeding and exerts an inhibitory effect through activation of H(1) receptors. Therefore, we studied the possible role of HA in short-term leptin-induced suppression of food intake. METHODS: We studied the 6-h feeding response of overnight-fasted adult (200 g) male Wistar rats to leptin and the HA synthesis inhibitor alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (alpha-FMH). Levels of transcription for neuropeptide Y (NPY) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), as well as hypothalamic content of HA and the HA metabolite telemethyl-HA were investigated. RESULTS: Central administration of leptin (3, 5 and 10 microg at 09:00 h) in fasted rats caused a decrease in food intake. In contrast, central administration of alpha-FMH (11, 22 and 112 microg at 09:00 h) increased food intake. Prior administration of alpha-FMH prevented the leptin-induced decrease in food intake. Leptin decreased hypothalamic histamine content, while increasing the ratio between telemethyl-HA and HA, indicating that leptin reduces HA metabolism. Finally, alpha-FMH suppressed basal and leptin-induced CRH expression while stimulating NPY expression in fasted rats. CONCLUSION: Histamine is involved in leptin-induced inhibition of food intake. The role of histamine may be mediating, i.e. leptin may directly activate and/or change the metabolism of the histaminergic system. Alternatively, the histaminergic system may be involved in a permissive manner.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Serotonin receptors involved in vasopressin and oxytocin secretion.

Serotonin (5-HT), 5-HT agonists, the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-HT-releasers and -reuptake inhibitors stimulate the release of vasopressin and oxytocin. We investigated the involvement of 5-HT receptors in the serotonergic regulation of vasopressin and oxytocin secretion. Vasopressin and oxytocin secretion was stimulated by 5-HT, the 5-HT(1A+1B+5A+7) agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), the 5-HT(2A+2C) agonist DOI, the 5-HT(2C+2A) agonist mCPP, the 5-HT(2C) agonist MK-212, the 5-HT(3) agonist SR 57277 and the 5-HT(4) agonist RS 67506. The 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-OH-DPAT, which had no effect on vasopressin secretion, stimulated oxytocin secretion. The 5-HT-induced release of vasopressin and oxytocin was inhibited by central infusion of the 5-HT antagonists WAY 100635 (5-HT(1A)), LY 53857 (5-HT(2A+2C)), ICS 205-930 (5-HT(3+4)) and RS 23597 (5-HT(4)). The 5-HT2+6+7 antagonist metergoline in combination with the 5-HT1A+2+7 antagonist methysergide inhibited the stimulatory effect of 5-CT on both hormones, whereas the 5-HT1A+1B antagonist cyanopindolol only inhibited the oxytocin response. The 5-HT(2A) antagonist 4-(4-flourobenzoyl)-1-(4-phenylbutyl)-piperidine oxalate had no effect on DOI-induced hormone response. The 5-HT(2C) antagonist Y 25130 partly inhibited the stimulating effect of MK-212. ICS 205-930 and RS 23597 inhibited vasopressin and oxytocin secretion induced by RS 67506. WAY 100635 inhibited 8-OH-DPAT-induced oxytocin secretion. We conclude that 5-HT-induced vasopressin secretion primarily is mediated via 5-HT(2C), 5-HT(4) and 5-HT(7) receptors, whereas 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(3) and 5-HT(5A) receptors seem to be of minor importance. 5-HT-induced oxytocin secretion involves 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2C) and 5-HT(4) receptors; in addition an involvement of 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(5A) and 5-HT(7) receptors seems likely, whereas 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(3) receptors seem to be less important.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

PubMed2003

Serotonin stimulates hypothalamic mRNA expression and local release of neurohypophysial peptides.

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) stimulates the secretion of vasopressin and oxytocin, and 5-HT is involved in the mediation of the vasopressin and oxytocin response to stress. In male Wistar rats, we investigated the 5-HT receptors involved in the 5-HT-induced increase of mRNA expression of vasopressin and oxytocin in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON). The 5-HT precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan, injected in combination with the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, increased oxytocin mRNA expression in the PVN, and the concentration of vasopressin and oxytocin in plasma, whereas mRNA in the SON was not affected. Intracerebroventricular infusion of 5-HT agonists selective for the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor increased oxytocin mRNA in the SON and PVN. Infusion of agonists selective for the 5-HT2A + 2C receptor increased vasopressin mRNA in the PVN, whereas none of the 5-HT agonists affected vasopressin mRNA in the SON. All the 5-HT agonists infused increased peripheral oxytocin concentration and vasopressin was increased by stimulation of the 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C and 5-HT3 receptor. Intracerebroventricular infusion of 100 nmol 5-HT increased the extracellular hypothalamic concentration of vasopressin as measured by microdialysis in the PVN. To evaluate the involvement of hypothalamic-pituitary system in the 5-hydroxytryptophan and fluoxetine-induced vasopressin secretion, rats were immunoneutralized with a specific anti-corticotropin-releasing hormone antiserum. This treatment reduced plasma vasopressin and oxytocin responses. We conclude that stimulation with 5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-HT agonists increases mRNA expression of oxytocin in the PVN and the SON via stimulation of at least 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors. Vasopressin mRNA in the PVN was increased only via the 5-HT2 receptor, whereas vasopressin mRNA in the SON does not seem to be affected by 5-HT stimulation. Corticotropin-releasing hormone appears to be partly involved in the mediation of 5-HT induced vasopressin and oxytocin secretion.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Histamine and prostaglandin interaction in regulation of oxytocin and vasopressin secretion.

Prostaglandins and histamine in the hypothalamus are involved in the regulation of oxytocin and vasopressin secretion, and appear to be involved in the mediation of pituitary hormone responses to immunochallenges. Therefore, we investigated in conscious male rats: (i) whether blockade of H1 or H2 receptors affected the oxytocin and vasopressin responses to prostaglandins and (ii) whether blockade of prostaglandin synthesis affected the oxytocin and vasopressin responses to histamine or to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in order to determine any interaction between prostaglandins and histamine in the hypothalamus. Oxytocin secretion was dose-dependently stimulated by intracerebroventricular infusion of 1 or 5 microg of PGE1, PGE2 or PGF2alpha, with PGE2 being the most potent of the compounds used. Prior central infusion of the H1 receptor antagonist mepyramine or the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine significantly inhibited the oxytocin response to all three prostaglandins by approximately 50%. Vasopressin secretion was increased by PGE1 but not by PGE2 or PGF2alpha. The stimulatory effect of PGE1 was almost annihilated by prior administration of mepyramine or cimetidine. Central infusion of histamine or immunochallenge with LPS administered intraperitoneally increased oxytocin and vasopressin secretion four- and two-fold, respectively. Pretreatment with systemic injection of the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor indomethacin dose-dependently reduced the oxytocin response and prevented the vasopressin response to histamine or LPS. We conclude that histamine and PGE1, PGE2 or PGF2alpha interact in the regulation of oxytocin secretion, whereas histamine and only PGE1 interact in the regulation of vasopressin secretion. Furthermore, histamine as well as LPS may affect oxytocin and vasopressin neurones via activation of prostaglandins, probably in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Serotonergic stimulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone and pro-opiomelanocortin gene expression.

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) stimulates adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion from the anterior pituitary gland via activation of central 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. The effect of 5-HT is predominantly indirect and may be mediated via release of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). We therefore investigated the possible involvement of CRH in the serotonergic stimulation of ACTH secretion in male rats. Increased neuronal 5-HT content induced by systemic administration of the precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in combination with the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine raised CRH mRNA expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) by 64%, increased pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in the anterior pituitary lobe by 17% and stimulated ACTH secretion five-fold. Central administration of 5-HT agonists specific to 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptors increased CRH mRNA in the PVN by 15-50%, POMC mRNA in the anterior pituitary by 15-27% and ACTH secretion three- to five-fold, whereas a specific 5-HT3 agonist had no effect. Systemic administration of a specific anti-CRH antiserum inhibited the ACTH response to 5-HTP and fluoxetine and prevented the 5-HTP and fluoxetine-induced POMC mRNA response in the anterior pituitary lobe. Central or systemic infusion of 5-HT increased ACTH secretion seven- and eight-fold, respectively. Systemic pretreatment with the anti-CRH antiserum reduced the ACTH responses to 5-HT by 80% and 64%, respectively. It is concluded that 5-HT via activation of 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C and possibly also 5-HT1B receptors increases the synthesis of CRH in the PVN and POMC in the anterior pituitary lobe, which results in increased ACTH secretion. Furthermore, the results indicate that CRH is an important mediator of the ACTH response to 5-HT.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2001

Differential effect of serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonists on the secretion of corticotropin and prolactin.

Serotonin (5-HT) participates in the neuroendocrine regulation of corticotropin (ACTH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion. We investigated the involvement of the 5-HT(1A) receptor in the mediation of ACTH and PRL response to the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonists 8-OH-DPAT and 5-HT, the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and restraint stress in male rats. Prior intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of the 5-HT(1A) antagonists WAY-100635 and LY-206130 inhibited PRL and ACTH responses to i.c.v. infusion of 8-OH-DPAT, 5-HT as well as to 5-HTP administered systemically in combination with the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (Flx). Infused i.c.v. NAN-190 inhibited the ACTH response to 8-OH-DPAT i.c.v. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with WAY-100635 inhibited ACTH and PRL responses to 8-OH-DPAT, whereas LY-206130 only inhibited the PRL response and NAN-190 had no effect. Injected i.p., the antagonists had no effect on 5-HT-induced hormone secretion, whereas the ACTH-stimulating effect of 5-HTP + Flx was increased by WAY and NAN. A 5-min restraint stress increased ACTH and PRL secretion; the ACTH, but not the PRL response to stress was inhibited by prior administration of WAY-100635 or LY-206130 either i.c.v. or i.p. NAN-190 had no effect on any stress response tested. It is concluded that (1) the three 5-HT(1A) antagonists used in our study have differential effects on stimulated hormone responses, (2) the antagonists exert different effects when administered systemically or centrally, and (3) the 5-HT(1A) receptor is involved in restraint stress-induced ACTH, but not PRL secretion.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

PubMed2000

Dehydration-induced vasopressin secretion in humans: involvement of the histaminergic system.

In rats, the hypothalamic neurotransmitter histamine participates in regulation of vasopressin secretion and seems to be of physiological importance, because blockade of the histaminergic system reduces dehydration-induced vasopressin secretion. We investigated whether histamine is also involved in regulation of vasopressin secretion during dehydration in humans. We found that 40 h of dehydration gradually increased plasma osmolality by 10 mosmol/kg and induced a fourfold increase in vasopressin levels. Pretreatment with the H(2)-receptor antagonists cimetidine or ranitidine significantly reduced the dehydration-induced increase in vasopressin levels approximately 40% after 34 and 37 h of dehydration, whereas this was not the case with the H(1)-receptor antagonist mepyramine. Dehydration reduced aldosterone secretion by approximately 50%. This effect of dehydration was reduced by both H(1)- and H(2)-receptor blockade after 16 and/or 34 h of dehydration. We conclude that vasopressin secretion in response to dehydration in humans is under the regulatory influence of histamine and that the effect seems to be mediated via H(2)-receptors. In addition, the regulation of aldosterone secretion during dehydration also seems to involve the histaminergic system via H(1) and H(2) receptors.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Effect of blockade of postsynaptic H1 or H2 receptors or activation of presynaptic H3 receptors on catecholamine-induced stimulation of ACTH and prolactin secretion.

The effect of inhibition of the neuronal histaminergic system by blockade of postsynaptic H1 or H2 receptors or activation of presynaptic H3 autoreceptors on the ACTH and prolactin responses to the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine was investigated in conscious male rats. Intracerebroventricular infusion of epinephrine and norepinephrine stimulated ACTH and prolactin secretion. Prior intracerebroventricular infusion of the H1 receptor antagonist, mepyramine, or the H2 receptor antagonist, cimetidine, had no effect on the ACTH response to epinephrine or norepinephrine, while these responses were inhibited by pretreatment with the H3 receptor agonist, imetit. The prolactin response to norepinephrine was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with mepyramine, cimetidine or imetit whereas the three histaminergic compounds had no effect on the prolactin response to epinephrine. The findings suggest that the histaminergic system exerts a mediating or permissive action on the norepinephrine-induced stimulation of prolactin secretion, whereas an intact histaminergic system may not be required for catecholamines to stimulate ACTH secretion. The inhibitory effect of imetit on catecholamine-induced release of ACTH may be due to an activation of H3 receptors located presynaptically on non-histaminergic neurons, e.g. aminergic neurons. The study further indicates an important role of histamine in the neuroendocrine regulation of prolactin secretion.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1999

Adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion in rats induced by stimulation with serotonergic compounds. hsj@mfi.ku.dk.

The serotonin receptors involved in the secretion of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) were investigated in conscious adult male rats. Administration of serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in combination with the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (Flx), or of the 5-HT agonists 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A), 5-carboxamido-tryptamine (5-HT1A+1B+5A+7), RU 24969 (5-HT1B+1A), DOI (5-HT2A+2c), S-alpha-methyl-5-HT (5-HT2A+2B+2c), MK212 (5-HT2B+2c), or methyl-chlorophenyl-piperazine (5-HT2A+2c) dose-dependently stimulated ACTH secretion. The 5-HT3 agonist 2-methyl-5-HT had no effect. Administration of a 5-HT1 agonist in combination with any of the 5-HT2 agonists DOI, S-alpha-methyl-5-HT or MK212 had an additive effect on the plasma concentration of ACTH. The ACTH stimulating effect of each of the 5-HT agonists was inhibited by pretreatment with antagonists with corresponding 5-HT receptor affinity. The ACTH response to 5-HT or 5-HTP/Flx was inhibited by injection with the 5-HT1A+2A+2c+5A+7 antagonist methysergide, the 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserine and the 5-HT2C+2A antagonist LY 53857. The 5-HT1A antagonist WAY 100635 enhanced 5-HT- and 5-HTP/Flx-induced ACTH secretion, suggesting a presynaptic 5-HT1A autoreceptor effect of the drug. The 5-HT3 antagonist ondansetrone had no effect on the either of the 5-HT agonists. The 5-HT3+4 antagonist tropisetrone attenuated the effect of 5-HTP/Flx, which may suggest a stimulation of ACTH secretion via 5-HT4 receptors. It is concluded that 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A+2C, and to a lesser extent 5-HT1B receptors, but not 5-HT3 receptors are involved in the effects of serotonin agonists on ACTH secretion. Furthermore, an involvement of the 5-HT5A and the 5-HT7 receptor is possible.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

PubMed1999

Stress-induced release of anterior pituitary hormones: effect of H3 receptor-mediated inhibition of histaminergic activity or posterior hypothalamic lesion.

The effect of stress- or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin-induced release of ACTH, beta-endorphin (beta-END) and prolactin (PRL) was investigated in two groups of conscious male rats: (1) Rats pretreated with different H3 receptor agonists, which inhibit neuronal histamine (HA) synthesis and release, and (2) rats with bilateral posterior hypothalamic lesion, which destroys the histaminergic perikarya exclusively localized in the mammillary nuclei. The H3 receptor agonists R(alpha)methyl-HA, BP 2-94 or imetit injected intraperitoneally (ip) had no effect on basal secretion of ACTH or PRL but inhibited the ACTH and PRL responses to restraint stress and the ACTH response to LPS endotoxin. LPS had no effect on PRL secretion. The inhibitory effect of the agonists was prevented by prior ip administration of the H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide. Bilateral lesion of the posterior hypothalamus inhibited the ACTH, beta-END and PRL responses to restraint stress, ether stress and LPS endotoxin, whereas sham operation had no effect compared to nonoperated control rats. In addition, posterior hypothalamic lesion inhibited the PRL response but not the ACTH and beta-END responses to activation of serotonergic neurons induced by ip administration of the 5-HT precusor 5-hydroxytryptophan in combination with the 5-HT re-uptake inhibitor fluoxetine. Thus, serotonergic pathways were not damaged by the lesions. The present results support our previous findings that inhibition of neuronal HA synthesis by alpha-fluoromethylhistidine as well as blockade of H1 or H2 receptors inhibit the ACTH, beta-END and PRL responses to stress and LPS endotoxin and further substantiate an important role of histaminergic neurons in the mediation of the stress-induced release of pituitary stress hormones. Furthermore, in accordance with our previous findings, the lesion experiments indicated the existence of an interaction between the histaminergic and serotonergic system in regulation of the stress- and LPS-induced PRL release.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

PubMed1999

Effect of selective blockade of catecholaminergic alpha and beta receptors on histamine-induced release of corticotropin and prolactin.

We investigated the role of adrenergic receptors in histamine (HA)-induced release of corticotropin (ACTH) and prolactin (PRL) in conscious male rats. Specific alpha- or beta-receptor antagonists were administered intracerebroventricularly in doses of 1 mmol at time -20 min, and HA (270 nmol), the H1 receptor agonist 2-thiazolylethylamine (2-TEA; 2,180 nmol) or the H2 receptor agonist 4-methylHA (4-MeHA; 790 nmol) were administered intracerebroventricularly at -15 min. The animals were decapitated at 0 min, and plasma was analyzed for ACTH and PRL. Administration of HA and the histaminergic agonists stimulated ACTH secretion equally, while only HA and the H2 receptor agonist stimulated PRL secretion. Pretreatment with the adrenergic receptor antagonists had no effect on the ACTH response to the histaminergic compounds. In contrast, the PRL response to HA or 4-MeHA was inhibited or prevented by the alpha-receptor antagonists phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine, the alpha1-receptor antagonist prazocin, the beta-receptor antagonist propranolol and the beta1-receptor antagonist atenolol, whereas the alpha2-receptor antagonist yohimbine or the beta2-receptor antagonist ICI-118-551 had no effect. The study indicates that histaminergic neurons interact with the catecholaminergic neuronal system in regulation of PRL secretion, and that this interaction is dependent upon activation of alpha1- and beta1-receptors. In contrast, histaminergic neurons stimulate ACTH secretion independently of adrenergic receptor activation.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMed1999

Histaminergic and catecholaminergic interactions in the central regulation of vasopressin and oxytocin secretion.

Activation of histaminergic and noradrenergic/adrenergic neurons in the brain stimulates the release of the neurohypophysial hormones arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) and are involved the mediation of the hormone responses to physiological stimuli such as dehydration and suckling. We therefore investigated whether the two neuronal systems interact in their regulation of AVP and OT secretion in conscious male rats. When administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), histamine (HA) as well as the H1 receptor agonist 2-thiazolylethylamine or the H2 receptor agonist 4-methylHA stimulated AVP and OT secretion. Prior i.c.v. infusion of antagonists specific to alpha or beta adrenergic receptors or their subtypes did not significantly affect the hormone response to HA or the histaminergic agonists. Infused i.c.v. norepinephrine (NE) or epinephrine (E) increased AVP and OT secretion. Prior i.c.v. infusion of the H1 receptor antagonist mepyramine or the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine significantly inhibited the AVP and OT responses to NE and the AVP response to E, whereas only cimetidine inhibited the OT response to E significantly. Systemic pretreatment with imetit, which by activation of presynaptic H3 receptors inhibits neuronal synthesis and release of HA, decreased the AVP and OT responses to NE and E significantly. In the doses used, HA and E had no significant effect on mean arterial blood pressure. NE increased mean arterial blood pressure 10% at 1 and 2.5 min, whereafter the blood pressure returned to basal level within 10 min. The results indicate that noradrenergic and adrenergic neurons stimulate AVP and OT secretion via an involvement of histaminergic neurons, which may occur at magnocellular neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. The stimulatory effect of the amines on neurohypophysial hormone secretion seems to be independent of a central action on blood pressure. In contrast, a functionally intact noradrenergic and adrenergic neuronal system seems not to be a prerequisite for a HA-induced release of AVP and OT. The present findings further substantiate the role of histaminergic neurons in the central regulation of neurohypophysial hormone secretion.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Serotonergic involvement in stress-induced ACTH release.

We investigated the involvement of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-HT receptors in mediation of stress-induced ACTH secretion in adult male rats, which were pretreated by 5-HT antagonists before restraint-, ether-, cold swim-stress or endotoxin. All stressors potently increased plasma ACTH. Lesion of 5-HT neurons with 5, 7-dihydroxytryptamine injected intracerebroventricularly, into the paraventricular nucleus or into the raphe nuclei, inhibited the restraint stress-induced ACTH response by 50%. Restraint increased the content of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, in the raphe nuclei, whereas the other stressors had no such effect. Pretreatment with the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635 inhibited the restraint stress- and endotoxin-induced ACTH secretion by 50%. The 5-HT1+2 antagonist methysergide or the 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin inhibited the restraint- or ether stress-induced ACTH response, and eliminated the endotoxin-induced ACTH response. The 5-HT2 receptor antagonist LY 53857 blocked only the endotoxin-induced ACTH response. Pretreatment with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetrone had no effect on stress-stimulated ACTH secretion. The 5-HT3+4 receptor antagonist tropisetrone inhibited the restraint- and ether stress-induced response. The ACTH response to swim stress was not affected by any of the antagonists used. It is concluded that the 5-HT1A, the 5-HT2A and the 5-HT2C receptor, but not the 5-HT3 receptor are involved in the stress-induced ACTH secretion. An involvement of the 5-HT4 receptor is possible. Furthermore, that serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei are activated during restraint stress, and that these neurons and neurons in PVN of the hypothalamus, are important for the mediation of the restraint stress-induced ACTH response.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1998

Dehydration-induced renin secretion: involvement of histaminergic neurons.

Renin secretion is controlled locally in the kidneys as well as via central neuronal mechanisms. The neuronal mechanisms are not fully understood but may involve the neurotransmitter histamine (HA) since centrally infused HA stimulates renin secretion. This, however, does not prove that HA is of any physiological importance for the regulation of renin secretion. Dehydration is a physiological stimulus of renin secretion and, therefore, we studied the possible role of hypothalamic histaminergic neurons in dehydration-induced renin secretion in conscious male rats. In addition, we expanded on our previous investigations of HA-induced renin secretion. Twenty-four hours of dehydration induced a 3-fold increase in plasma renin activity (PRA). Pretreatment with the HA synthesis inhibitor alpha-fluoromethylhistidine inhibited the dehydration-induced PRA secretion by 80% whereas pretreatment with the H1 receptor antagonist mepyramine (MEP) or the H2 receptor antagonist ranitidine (RAN) inhibited the PRA response to dehydration by approximately 40%. In euhydrated control rats, none of the HA-blocking agents had any significant effect on basal PRA secretion. Central administration of HA stimulated PRA almost 2-fold and the maximum concentration of PRA was reached after 15 min. Pretreatment with the H1 receptor antagonist MEP or the H2 receptor antagonist RAN totally inhibited the HA-induced PRA secretion. We conclude that HA activates renin secretion via H1 and H2 receptors and that HA seems to be a physiological mediator of dehydration-induced renin secretion via activation of H1 and H2 receptors. The effect is probably indirect and may among others involve the catecholaminergic and serotonergic systems.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Selective inhibition of magnocellular vasopressin neurons by hypoosmolality: effect on histamine- and stress-induced secretion of adrenocorticotropin and prolactin.

We investigated the effect of selective inhibition of magnocellular arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin neurons on histamine (HA)- and restraint-stress-induced adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion in conscious male rats. The inhibition of magnocellular neurons was obtained by inducing chronic hypoosmolality via continuous exposure of the rats to the AVP V2 receptor agonist 1-deamino(8-D-arginine)vasopressin (DDAVP) which was released from osmotic pumps implanted subcutaneously. In DDAVP-treated rats, plasma osmolality and sodium concentration were 273 mosm/l and 130 mmol/l, respectively. In control rats, the corresponding values were 291 mosm/l and 139 mmol/l. HA (270 nmol) administered intracerebroventricularly or 5 min of restraint stress stimulated ACTH and PRL secretion 4- to 11-fold in normoosmolar rats. In hypoosmolar rats, the HA-induced ACTH response was inhibited more than 40% whereas the restraint-stress-induced ACTH response was unaffected. Conversely, the PRL response to HA in hypoosmolar rats was unaffected whereas the PRL response to restraint stress was inhibited by 40%. In summary, chronic hypoosmolality inhibits HA-induced ACTH and restraint-stress-induced PRL secretion indicating involvement of magnocellular AVP in these responses.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1998

Neuronal histamine and expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone, vasopressin and oxytocin in the hypothalamus: relative importance of H1 and H2 receptors.

Centrally administered histamine (HA) stimulates the secretion of the pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides ACTH and beta-endorphin as well as prolactin. The effect of HA on secretion of these adenohypophysial hormones is indirect and may involve activation of hypothalamic neurons containing corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), arginine-vasopressin (AVP) or oxytocin (OT). We studied the effect of activating central HA receptors by central infusion of HA, HA agonists or antagonists on expression of CRH, AVP and OT mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei. Intracerebroventricular infusion of HA (270 nmol), the H1-receptor agonist 2-thiazolylethylamine or the H2-receptor agonist 4-methylhistamine increased the level of CRH mRNA in the PVN, and OT mRNA in the SON. In contrast, none of these compounds had any effect on expression of AVP mRNA in the PVN or SON. Administration of the H1-receptor antagonist mepyramine or the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine had no effect on basal expression of CRH, AVP or OT mRNA in the PVN and/or SON except for a slight inhibitory effect of cimetidine on CRH mRNA expression in the PVN. Pretreatment with mepyramine or cimetidine before HA administration inhibited the HA-induced increase in OT mRNA levels but had no effect on the HA-induced increase in CRH mRNA levels in the PVN. We conclude that HA stimulates hypothalamic CRH and OT neurons by increasing mRNA levels, and this effect seems to be mediated via activation of both HA H1 and H2 receptors.

Animals↗