title: Beta-adrenergic receptors are involved in stress-related behavioral changes.
abstract: Cerebral noradrenergic systems have been implicated in stress-related changes in behavior. Previous studies with receptor antagonists suggested that alpha 1-adrenergic receptors were involved in defensive withdrawal in rats and in investigatory behavior in mice tested in the multicompartment chamber. However, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists attenuated the restraint- and ICV CRF-induced changes in defensive withdrawal, suggesting that beta-adrenergic receptors may also be involved in stress-related responses. To determine whether the beta-adrenergic antagonist effect was limited to rats tested in the defensive withdrawal model, we studied the effects of L-propranolol in two other behavioral models. Propranolol pretreatment (2.5 mg/kg, IP) prevented the restraint-induced changes in the behavior of mice observed in the multicompartment chamber and the elevated plus-maze. It also decreased the plasma corticosterone response measured in restrained mice after plus-maze testing. To investigate further the role of central beta-adrenergic receptors in defensive withdrawal, the effects of the beta-adrenoreceptor agonist isoproterenol were tested. Isoproterenol (0.3-10 micrograms, ICV) produced a dose-dependent increase in defensive withdrawal, statistically significant after 3 and 10 micrograms. Propranolol prevented the isoproterenol-induced defensive withdrawal, suggesting that the effect of isoproterenol resulted from stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors. These results support earlier data suggesting the involvement of CNS beta-adrenergic receptors in stress-related behavioral changes and suggest that beta-adrenergic agonists exert anxiolytic effects that differ from those of the benzodiazepines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport 71130-3932.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gorman
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol; D003345:Corticosterone