Microinfusion of corticotropin-releasing factor into the locus coeruleus/subcoeruleus nuclei inhibits gastric acid secretion via spinal pathways in the rat.
Brain corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is involved in stress-related alterations of gastric acid secretion. CRF in the locus coeruleus has been shown to induce anxiogenic behavioral responses and to mimic stress-induced alterations of colonic motor function. Whether the locus coeruleus/subcoeruleus nucleus (LC/SC) is a site of action for CRF to alter gastric acid secretion was investigated in urethane-anesthetized gastric fistula rats. In sham-operated animals, CRF (126-420 pmol) microinfused bilaterally into the LC/SC induced a dose-dependent inhibition of pentagastrin (PG)-stimulated gastric acid secretion of 60-81% within the first hour after microinjection. At the 420 pmol dose, this inhibitory effect of CRF into the LC/SC lasted throughout the whole observation period of 120 min. After bilateral vagotomy, basal and PG-stimulated gastric acid secretion at microinjection of vehicle was reduced. Nevertheless, microinfusion of 420 pmol CRF into the LC/SC still inhibited significantly gastric acid secretion by 62.1%. In contrast, in spinal cord transected animals bilateral microinfusion of 420 pmol CRF into the LC/SC did not reduce PG-stimulated gastric acid secretion. These data indicate that CRF acts in the LC/SC to induce a long lasting inhibition of peripherally stimulated gastric acid secretion via spinal pathways. These findings suggest a possible role of the LC/SC in the regulation of gastric secretion and of endogenous CRF at these sites in the stress-related inhibition of gastric acid secretion by affecting autonomic nervous system activity.
Mönnikes
H
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Philipps-University of Marburg, Germany.
Tebbe
J
J
Bauer
C
C
Lauer
G
G
Arnold
R
R
D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects*; D014628:Vagotomy
D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone