Influence of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor on pituitary-adrenal axis (PAA) in rats in vivo.
We have studied the in vivo influence of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on blood plasma concentration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone in Wistar rats. The administration of 10 micrograms/kg b.w. GM-CSF at 45 (P < 0.01), 90 (P < 0.01) and at 45 (P < 0.001), 90 (P < 0.001) and 180 min (P < 0.001) increased the secretion of ACTH and corticosterone, respectively. Prolonged administration of 10 micrograms/kg b.w. of GM-CSF increased the ACTH (P < 0.001) and corticosterone (P < 0.001) concentration in blood plasma. We have also found that chronic treatment with 10 micrograms/kg b.w. of GM-CSF increased the proliferative activity of corticotrophs (P < 0.05), but it did not significantly change the total cell proliferation in the anterior pituitary gland. Moreover, this cytokine increased cell proliferation of the adrenal cortex (P < 0.001). These experiments suggest that GM-CSF activates the pituitary-adrenal axis and support the hypothesis of bidirectional associations between the immune and neuroendocrine systems.
Zylińska
K
K
Department of Experimental Endocrinology, Medical University of Lódź, Poland.
Mucha
S
S
Komorowski
J
J
Korycka
A
A
Pisarek
H
H
Robak
T
T
Stepień
H
H
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone