The cocaine-induced elevation of plasma corticosterone is mediated by endogenous corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in rats.
The role of endogenous corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the cocaine-induced corticosterone response was investigated by using the immunoneutralization and receptor blockade of endogenous CRF. Pretreatment with different dilutions (1:5, 1:10 and 1:20, i.c.v.) of CRF antibody and different doses of an antagonist for CRF receptors, alpha-helical CRF9-41 (alpha h-CRF, 0.001-1.0 micrograms, i.c.v.), dose-dependently prevented the cocaine-induced increase in corticosterone level. These results support the hypothesis that the activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by cocaine is mediated through the release of endogenous CRF.
Sarnyai
Z
Z
Institute of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Szeged, Hungary.
Bíró
E
E
Penke
B
B
Telegdy
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003042:Cocaine; D003345:Corticosterone