Cocaine induced secretion of ACTH, beta-endorphin, and corticosterone. 1987

R L Moldow, and A J Fischman
Department of Biology, Seton Hall University, S. Orange, NJ 07079.

The effect of intraperitoneal administration of cocaine on the concentrations of hypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor like-immunoreactivity (CRF-LI), plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin, and corticosterone was investigated. Groups of rats were injected with 20 mg/kg cocaine HCI or 0.9% NaCl and then killed 0, 10, 20, 30 or 60 minutes later. Hypothalamic CRF-LI, plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin, and corticosterone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. A significant increase in plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin, and corticosterone concentrations was observed after cocaine administration. In contrast, cocaine had no significant effect on hypothalamic CRF-LI concentrations. Intravenous administration of 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg cocaine to rats in which the endogenous release of CRF was blocked by chlorpromazine, morphine, and pentobarbital elicited a significant increase in plasma corticosterone concentrations. These results demonstrate that cocaine induces the release of ACTH, beta-endorphin, and corticosterone and suggest that this response is mediated at the pituitary level.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007031 Hypothalamus Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE. Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D007700 Kinetics The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008297 Male Males
D009020 Morphine The principal alkaloid in opium and the prototype opiate analgesic and narcotic. Morphine has widespread effects in the central nervous system and on smooth muscle. Morphine Sulfate,Duramorph,MS Contin,Morphia,Morphine Chloride,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Anhydrous,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Pentahydrate,Oramorph SR,SDZ 202-250,SDZ202-250,Chloride, Morphine,Contin, MS,SDZ 202 250,SDZ 202250,SDZ202 250,SDZ202250,Sulfate, Morphine
D010424 Pentobarbital A short-acting barbiturate that is effective as a sedative and hypnotic (but not as an anti-anxiety) agent and is usually given orally. It is prescribed more frequently for sleep induction than for sedation but, like similar agents, may lose its effectiveness by the second week of continued administration. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p236) Mebubarbital,Mebumal,Diabutal,Etaminal,Ethaminal,Nembutal,Pentobarbital Sodium,Pentobarbital, Monosodium Salt,Pentobarbitone,Sagatal,Monosodium Salt Pentobarbital
D011919 Rats, Inbred Strains Genetically identical individuals developed from brother and sister matings which have been carried out for twenty or more generations or by parent x offspring matings carried out with certain restrictions. This also includes animals with a long history of closed colony breeding. August Rats,Inbred Rat Strains,Inbred Strain of Rat,Inbred Strain of Rats,Inbred Strains of Rats,Rat, Inbred Strain,August Rat,Inbred Rat Strain,Inbred Strain Rat,Inbred Strain Rats,Inbred Strains Rat,Inbred Strains Rats,Rat Inbred Strain,Rat Inbred Strains,Rat Strain, Inbred,Rat Strains, Inbred,Rat, August,Rat, Inbred Strains,Rats Inbred Strain,Rats Inbred Strains,Rats, August,Rats, Inbred Strain,Strain Rat, Inbred,Strain Rats, Inbred,Strain, Inbred Rat,Strains, Inbred Rat
D002746 Chlorpromazine The prototypical phenothiazine antipsychotic drug. Like the other drugs in this class chlorpromazine's antipsychotic actions are thought to be due to long-term adaptation by the brain to blocking DOPAMINE RECEPTORS. Chlorpromazine has several other actions and therapeutic uses, including as an antiemetic and in the treatment of intractable hiccup. Aminazine,Chlorazine,Chlordelazine,Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride,Contomin,Fenactil,Largactil,Propaphenin,Thorazine,Hydrochloride, Chlorpromazine
D003042 Cocaine An alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. It is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake. Cocaine HCl,Cocaine Hydrochloride,HCl, Cocaine,Hydrochloride, Cocaine
D003345 Corticosterone An adrenocortical steroid that has modest but significant activities as a mineralocorticoid and a glucocorticoid. (From Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed, p1437)
D003346 Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone A peptide of about 41 amino acids that stimulates the release of ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE. CRH is synthesized by neurons in the PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS of the HYPOTHALAMUS. After being released into the pituitary portal circulation, CRH stimulates the release of ACTH from the PITUITARY GLAND. CRH can also be synthesized in other tissues, such as PLACENTA; ADRENAL MEDULLA; and TESTIS. ACTH-Releasing Hormone,CRF-41,Corticotropin-Releasing Factor,Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone-41,ACTH-Releasing Factor,CRF (ACTH),Corticoliberin,Corticotropin-Releasing Factor-41,ACTH Releasing Factor,ACTH Releasing Hormone,Corticotropin Releasing Factor,Corticotropin Releasing Factor 41,Corticotropin Releasing Hormone,Corticotropin Releasing Hormone 41

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