title: Cardiovascular responses to exercise in the rat: role of corticotropin-releasing factor.
abstract: The effects of intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of a corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonist, alpha-helical CRF, on systemic and regional hemodynamic adjustments to exercise were studied in conscious rats. On consecutive days, rats received saline icv, alpha-helical CRF icv, and no treatment 30 min before treadmill exercise (TMX). Increases in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to TMX (16.1-28.6 m/min) were similar after icv administration of saline or no treatment. In rats receiving saline icv or no treatment, estimated vascular resistance increased in the mesenteric and renal regions and declined in the iliac (hindlimb) region. After icv administration of alpha-helical CRF9-41, HR and MAP responses during TMX were significantly attenuated. In addition, TMX-induced elevations of estimated mesenteric vascular resistance and iliac blood flow velocity were blunted after CRF receptor blockade. These altered cardiovascular and hemodynamic responses were ultimately reflected in the animals' compromised ability to run. The results suggest that the central nervous system actions of endogenous CRF are necessary for the full expression of the cardiovascular adjustments to TMX in the conscious rat.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kregel
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Overton
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Seals
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Tipton
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; C045089:corticotropin releasing hormone (9-41)