Corticotropin-releasing factor reverses the effect of pentobarbital through a beta-noradrenergic mechanism in rats.
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been shown to reverse effect of pentobarbital (PbNa) within the central nervous system. In this study, the mechanism of the antagonistic effect of CRF on PbNa-induced anesthesia and hypothermia in rats was examined. Intraventricular administration of CRF significantly shortened sleeping time and antagonized hypothermia induced by PbNa. Propranolol (148 micrograms, 0.5 mumol), a beta-blocker, completely reversed the CRF effect, although propranolol alone affected neither sleeping time nor rectal temperature. Phentolamine, an alpha-blocker, reversed the antagonistic effect of CRF on PbNa, though the same dose of phentolamine alone increased the sleeping time in the absence of CRF. Atropine, an anticholinergic agent, did not affect the ability of CRF to reverse the effects of PbNa. These results suggest that the ability of CRF to reduce some of the effects of PbNa may be mediated at least in part by brain beta-noradrenergic receptors.
Imaki
T
T
Institute of Clinical Endocrinology, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
Shibasaki
T
T
Masuda
A
A
Imaki
J
J
Demura
H
H
Shizume
K
K
Ling
N
N
D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects
D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D001285:Atropine; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011433:Propranolol; D010424:Pentobarbital; D010646:Phentolamine