title: Effects of beta-carbolines of plasma corticosterone in mice.
abstract: 6-Methoxy-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline, a drug which has been reported to increase brain serotonin (5-HT) but not norepinephrine, was tested for its acute effects of pituitary-adrenocortical activity in CF1 mice. The drug produced dose- and time-dependent increases in plasma corticosterone concentration which could be prevented by blocking adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion. Administration of other beta-carbolines or the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan also resulted in plasma corticosterone elevations. Further studies will be needed to determine whether beta-carbolines stimulate pituitary-adrenocortical activity through a central serotonergic system or by some alternate mechanism.
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002243:Carbolines; D007211:Indoles; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D003345:Corticosterone