title: Effects of corticotropin-releasing factor on intermediolateral cell column neurons of newborn rats.
abstract: Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a neuropeptide that mediates neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral processes associated with the stress response. CRF-containing fibers and receptors are found in various regions of the central nervous system including the spinal cord. Here, we report excitatory effects of CRF on sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the intermediolateral cell column (IML) of in vitro spinal cord preparations from newborn rats. We also examine the receptor subtypes that are involved in the CRF effects. Application of CRF significantly depolarized the IML neurons and increased the frequency of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the IML neurons. These effects were blocked by the CRF receptor 1 antagonist, antalarmin. Menthol, a transient receptor potential channel M8 agonist, depressed EPSPs enhanced by CRF. Our findings suggested that CRF depolarized the IML neurons via direct postsynaptic action and CRF-affected interneurons located in the spinal cord send EPSPs to IML neurons. These excitatory effects of CRF may be caused through CRF1 receptors but not CRF2 receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Ayaka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Onimaru
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takeyama
authors.forename: Ikuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Homma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008610:Menthol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D011743:Pyrimidines; D011758:Pyrroles; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; C103016:antalarmin; D008610:Menthol; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone