title: Corticosterone strongly increases the affinity of dorsal raphe 5-HT1A receptors.
abstract: The effects of corticosterone (10 mg/kg, s.c., 6 h) on dorsal raphe 5-HT1A autoreceptors have been studied in adrenalectomized rats with or without porcine galanin modulation. Adrenalectomy diminishes 5-HT1A autoreceptors affinity. Corticosterone increases 5-HT1A autoreceptor agonist affinity (+90%, p<0.001) in adrenalectomized rats. Galanin (10 nM) increases dorsal raphe 5-HT1A autoreceptor density (+65%, p<0.05) and its Kd value (+248%, p<0.05) only in adrenalectomized rats treated with corticosterone. Dorsal raphe glucocorticoid receptors activation by corticosterone may therefore lead to an increased signalling of 5-HT1A autoreceptors that may become counteracted by galanin receptor activation. Glucocorticoids, by enhancing dorsal raphe 5-HT1A autoreceptor function, may therefore cause reduced 5-HT neuronal activity and thus lead to a depressive state.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Malaga, MA-29071, Málaga, Spain. ibellido@uma.es
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bellido
authors.forename: Anita C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hansson
authors.forename: Aurelio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gómez-Luque
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Andbjer
authors.forename: Luigi F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Agnati
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fuxe
mesh_terms: D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*; D019004:Galanin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000378:metabolism*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D019004:Galanin; D003345:Corticosterone