title: Effect of corticotropin-releasing factor on adrenal DBH and PNMT activity.
abstract: The continuous administration of CRF (corticotropin-releasing factor) by the intraventricular route, 100 ng/day, to rats over a period of 7 days, results in significant increases of DBH (dopamine beta-hydroxylase) and PNMT (phenethanol N-methyltransferase) activities in the adrenal glands. The pattern of increase in DBH response to various doses of CRF does not correspond to the effects observed on plasma corticosterone, a result that suggests that CRF is acting to increase the adrenal enzyme by means other than through the pituitary-adrenal axis. In contrast, PNMT responds to CRF in a manner indicating a correlation with glucocorticoid availability. Moreover, PNMT induction by CRF persists even after adrenal denervation; it also occurs when CRF is given subcutaneously for 3 days, in a dose of 60 ng/day. Injection of reserpine did not potentiate the effect of intraventricularly administered CRF.
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013153:Splanchnic Nerves / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012110:Reserpine; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D003345:Corticosterone