Central injection of astressin inhibits carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in rats.
The effect of intracisternal astressin, a specific and potent corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)(1) and CRF(2) receptor antagonist on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced acute liver injury was investigated in rats. Intracisternal astressin inhibited the elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase level induced by CCl(4). Intracisternal astressin also reduced CCl(4)-induced liver histological changes. The protective effect of central astressin on CCl(4)-induced liver damage was abolished by sympathectomy but not by hepatic branch vagotomy. These findings demonstrate that astressin acts in the central nervous system to induce hepatic cytoprotection, possibly through the sympathetic pathways in rats. These results further establish a role of endogenous CRF in the brain in hepatic pathophysiological regulation.
Nakade
Yukiomi
Y
Second Department of Medicine and Surgery, Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa, Japan.
Yoneda
Masashi
M
Yokohama
Shiro
S
Tamori
Keisuke
K
Nakamura
Kimihide
K
Watanobe
Hajime
H
Kono
Toru
T
Makino
Isao
I
Terano
Akira
A
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003714:Denervation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C104416:astressin; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000410:Alanine Transaminase