Modulatory action of neurotensin on the pituitary-adrenocortical function in rats: evidence for an acute dose-dependent biphasic effect.
Adult female rats were sc injected with 0.6 or 1.2 nmol/100 g body wt of neurotensin (NT); control animals received a sc injection of saline vehicle. The plasma concentrations of ACTH, aldosterone and corticosterone were measured 1, 2 or 4 h after the injection. Our RIA estimates revealed that the lower dose of NT exerted a net stimulatory effect on the rat pituitary-adrenocortical function, that can be ascribed to the well-known NT-evoked enhancement of CRH release. Conversely, the higher dose of NT appeared to have a marked inhibitory effect on both pituitary ACTH release and adrenocortical secretion. The mechanism underlying this last action of NT remains to be elucidated.
Malendowicz
L K
LK
Department of Histology and Embriology, School of Medicine, Poznan, Poland.
Nussdorfer
G G
GG
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D009496:Neurotensin; D000450:Aldosterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone