Neuropeptide FF in the rat adrenal gland: presence, distribution and pharmacological effects.
Neuropeptide FF (NPFF, FLFQPQRFamide) is an FMRFamide-like octapeptide exhibiting antiopiate activity. The presence of both NPFF-immunoreactivity (NPFF-IR) and NPFF-specific receptors has been described in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). The peripheral effects of NPFF indicate that NPFF-IR material is present outside the CNS. Biochemical and immunohistochemical methods enabled us to determine the presence and distribution of NPFF-IR in the rat adrenal gland. The amount of NPFF-IR material in whole gland was estimated by radioimmunoassay to be 19.00 +/- 4.00 fmol/gland. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of adrenal extracts revealed a single molecular form which coeluted with authentic NPFF. Demedullation decreased adrenal NPFF-IR content, indicating that NPFF-IR was present in both cortex and medulla. Light microscopy revealed NPFF-IR in beaded fibers confined in the outer part of the cortex and in medullary cells. Double-labeling with antityrosine-hydroxylase and anti-NPFF antibodies showed NPFF-IR in cortical catecholaminergic postganglionic fibers restricted to the subcapsular and glomerulosa zonae. NPFF-IR was also located in medullary chromaffin cells and in rays and islets of chromaffin cells dispersed throughout the cortex. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia did not alter NPFF-IR content. Denervation lowered adrenal NPFF-IR content. These data indicate that this peptide is present in nerve fibers of extrinsic origin. In vitro approaches using adrenal slices have shown that NPFF inhibited aldosterone release in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these data suggest that NPFF may participate in the control of aldosterone production and adrenal blood supply.
INSERM U259, Université de Bordeaux II, France.
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S
Labrouche
J P
JP
Laulin
M
M
Le Moal
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G
Tramu
G
G
Simonnet
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000737:chemistry; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000737:chemistry; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003714:Denervation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D007328:Insulin; D009842:Oligopeptides; D000450:Aldosterone; C053651:phenylalanyl-leucyl-phenylalanyl-glutaminyl-prolyl-glutaminyl-arginyl-phenylalaninamide