Comparison of the effects of neurotensin and ACTH on the pituitary-adrenocortical axis of dexamethasone-suppressed rats.
Neurotensin (NT) (12-48 micrograms/kg-1/day-1, for 2 days, s.c.), like ACTH (60 micrograms/kg-1/day-1, for 2 days, s.c.), counteracted the dexamethasone (Dx)-induced (120 micrograms/kg-1/day-1, for 4 days, s.c.) adrenal zona-fasciculata cell atrophy. NT notably raised, in Dx-suppressed rats, the plasma concentration of ACTH, which reached about that found after exogenous ACTH administration. However, at variance with ACTH, NT did not enhance either plasma corticosterone (B) level or B production by adrenal quarters in vitro. The conclusion is drawn that NT modulates the function of the rat pituitary-adrenocortical axis, by simultaneously stimulating hypophyseal ACTH release and inhibiting steroidogenesis at the adrenal level.
Malendowicz
L K
LK
Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan Academy of Medicine, Poland.
Nussdorfer
G G
GG
Lesniewska
B
B
Markowska
A
A
Nowak
M
M
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D009496:Neurotensin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone