title: Adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion in rats induced by stimulation with serotonergic compounds. hsj@mfi.ku.dk.
abstract: The serotonin receptors involved in the secretion of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) were investigated in conscious adult male rats. Administration of serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in combination with the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (Flx), or of the 5-HT agonists 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A), 5-carboxamido-tryptamine (5-HT1A+1B+5A+7), RU 24969 (5-HT1B+1A), DOI (5-HT2A+2c), S-alpha-methyl-5-HT (5-HT2A+2B+2c), MK212 (5-HT2B+2c), or methyl-chlorophenyl-piperazine (5-HT2A+2c) dose-dependently stimulated ACTH secretion. The 5-HT3 agonist 2-methyl-5-HT had no effect. Administration of a 5-HT1 agonist in combination with any of the 5-HT2 agonists DOI, S-alpha-methyl-5-HT or MK212 had an additive effect on the plasma concentration of ACTH. The ACTH stimulating effect of each of the 5-HT agonists was inhibited by pretreatment with antagonists with corresponding 5-HT receptor affinity. The ACTH response to 5-HT or 5-HTP/Flx was inhibited by injection with the 5-HT1A+2A+2c+5A+7 antagonist methysergide, the 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserine and the 5-HT2C+2A antagonist LY 53857. The 5-HT1A antagonist WAY 100635 enhanced 5-HT- and 5-HTP/Flx-induced ACTH secretion, suggesting a presynaptic 5-HT1A autoreceptor effect of the drug. The 5-HT3 antagonist ondansetrone had no effect on the either of the 5-HT agonists. The 5-HT3+4 antagonist tropisetrone attenuated the effect of 5-HTP/Flx, which may suggest a stimulation of ACTH secretion via 5-HT4 receptors. It is concluded that 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A+2C, and to a lesser extent 5-HT1B receptors, but not 5-HT3 receptors are involved in the effects of serotonin agonists on ACTH secretion. Furthermore, an involvement of the 5-HT5A and the 5-HT7 receptor is possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. hsj@mfi.ku.dk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Knigge
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kjaer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warberg
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018490:Serotonin Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan