Central regulation of micturition in the rat the corticotropin-releasing hormone from Barrington's nucleus.
Barrington's nucleus, a pontine nucleus implicated in micturition, contains numerous corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons that project to the spinal parasympathetic nucleus that innervates the bladder. We now report that CRH from Barrington's nucleus may serve to inhibit micturition. Selective chemical activation of Barrington's nucleus by microinjection of glutamate evoked bladder contractions that were increased in magnitude after intrathecal administration of a CRH antagonist, D-PheCRH12-41. In contrast, intrathecally administered CRH decreased the magnitude of Barrington's stimulated bladder contractions. These results suggest that activation of Barrington's nucleus releases an excitatory neurotransmitter responsible for bladder contractions, and CRH, which inhibits this neurotransmitter. The balance between these two neuromediators may regulate bladder contractility, and thereby, urinary continence.
Pavcovich
L A
LA
Department of Psychiatry, Hahnemann University MS 403, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192, USA.
Valentino
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D011149:Pons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
C083591:H-R corticotropin-releasing factor (12-41), Phe(12)-Nle(21,38), C(alpha-MeLeu(37))-; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C113202:phenylalanyl corticotropin-releasing factor (12-41); D018698:Glutamic Acid; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone