Effects of restraint stress on alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and midbrain of the rat.
We examined the effects of restraint stress on alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA expression in the rat brain using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). After rats had been restrained for 10, 30, 60, 120 or 240 min, the hypothalamus and midbrain were removed immediately and alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA levels in these regions were determined by RT-PCR. Blood samples were also collected for simultaneous measurement of serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone. Restraint stress resulted in a variety of changes in the hypothalamus and midbrain. In the hypothalamus, 30 and 60 min of stress resulted in a significant fall in the level of alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA relative to the control. This was associated with a rise in serum ACTH and corticosterone. In the midbrain, significant elevation of alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA was noted after 60, 120 and 240 min of restraint stress. Our findings indicated that the influence of restraint stress on alpha(1) adrenoceptor mRNA level in the hypothalamus is different to that of the midbrain region in rats.
Miyahara
S
S
Department of Psychiatry, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan.
Komori
T
T
Fujiwara
R
R
Shizuya
K
K
Yamamoto
M
M
Ohmori
M
M
Okazaki
Y
Y
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone