Effect of cholinergic agonists and antagonists on rat hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone secretion in vitro. 1988

A E Calogero, and W T Gallucci, and R Bernardini, and C Saoutis, and P W Gold, and G P Chrousos
Developmental Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Md.

Several lines of experimental evidence suggest that acetylcholine (ACh) is excitatory to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Since previous experiments have shown that ACh does not affect pituitary adrenocorticotropin secretion in vitro, we hypothesized that ACh stimulates the HPA axis by causing hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) secretion. We examined this hypothesis using an organ culture system that measures the ability of single rat hypothalami to secrete immunoreactive CRH (IR-rCRH) in vitro. ACh stimulated hypothalamic IR-rCRH secretion in a dose-dependent fashion, at concentrations ranging from 3.3 x 10(-10) to 10(-5) M. This effect was antagonized by the simultaneous presence of atropine and hexamethonium, a muscarinic and a nicotinic receptor antagonist, respectively (p less than 0.05). Further evidence for the cholinergic regulation of the CRH neuron was provided by the findings that both carbachol, a muscarinic receptor agonist, and nicotine, a nicotinic receptor agonist, stimulated IR-rCRH secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. These effects were antagonized by atropine and hexamethonium, respectively, suggesting that both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors are involved in the process. ACh stimulated hypothalamic IR-rCRH secretion in the presence of phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, and ritanserin, a serotonin2 receptor antagonist, suggesting that the cholinergic stimulation of CRH secretion is not mediated by alpha-adrenergic or serotonergic interneurons. We conclude that ACh stimulates hypothalamic CRH secretion via both muscarinic and nicotinic receptor mechanisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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
D008297 Male Males
D010276 Parasympatholytics Agents that inhibit the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system. The major group of drugs used therapeutically for this purpose is the MUSCARINIC ANTAGONISTS. Antispasmodic,Antispasmodic Agent,Antispasmodic Drug,Antispasmodics,Parasympathetic-Blocking Agent,Parasympathetic-Blocking Agents,Parasympatholytic,Parasympatholytic Agent,Parasympatholytic Drug,Spasmolytic,Spasmolytics,Antispasmodic Agents,Antispasmodic Drugs,Antispasmodic Effect,Antispasmodic Effects,Parasympatholytic Agents,Parasympatholytic Drugs,Parasympatholytic Effect,Parasympatholytic Effects,Agent, Antispasmodic,Agent, Parasympathetic-Blocking,Agent, Parasympatholytic,Agents, Antispasmodic,Agents, Parasympathetic-Blocking,Agents, Parasympatholytic,Drug, Antispasmodic,Drug, Parasympatholytic,Drugs, Antispasmodic,Drugs, Parasympatholytic,Effect, Antispasmodic,Effect, Parasympatholytic,Effects, Antispasmodic,Effects, Parasympatholytic,Parasympathetic Blocking Agent,Parasympathetic Blocking Agents
D010277 Parasympathomimetics Drugs that mimic the effects of parasympathetic nervous system activity. Included here are drugs that directly stimulate muscarinic receptors and drugs that potentiate cholinergic activity, usually by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine (CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS). Drugs that stimulate both sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons (GANGLIONIC STIMULANTS) are not included here. Parasympathomimetic Agents,Parasympathomimetic Drugs,Parasympathomimetic Effect,Parasympathomimetic Effects,Agents, Parasympathomimetic,Drugs, Parasympathomimetic,Effect, Parasympathomimetic,Effects, Parasympathomimetic
D010646 Phentolamine A nonselective alpha-adrenergic antagonist. It is used in the treatment of hypertension and hypertensive emergencies, pheochromocytoma, vasospasm of RAYNAUD DISEASE and frostbite, clonidine withdrawal syndrome, impotence, and peripheral vascular disease. Fentolamin,Phentolamine Mesilate,Phentolamine Mesylate,Phentolamine Methanesulfonate,Phentolamine Mono-hydrochloride,Regitine,Regityn,Rogitine,Z-Max,Mesilate, Phentolamine,Mesylate, Phentolamine,Methanesulfonate, Phentolamine,Mono-hydrochloride, Phentolamine,Phentolamine Mono hydrochloride
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
D011976 Receptors, Muscarinic One of the two major classes of cholinergic receptors. Muscarinic receptors were originally defined by their preference for MUSCARINE over NICOTINE. There are several subtypes (usually M1, M2, M3....) that are characterized by their cellular actions, pharmacology, and molecular biology. Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors,Muscarinic Receptors,Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor,Muscarinic Receptor,Acetylcholine Receptor, Muscarinic,Acetylcholine Receptors, Muscarinic,Receptor, Muscarinic,Receptor, Muscarinic Acetylcholine,Receptors, Muscarinic Acetylcholine
D011978 Receptors, Nicotinic One of the two major classes of cholinergic receptors. Nicotinic receptors were originally distinguished by their preference for NICOTINE over MUSCARINE. They are generally divided into muscle-type and neuronal-type (previously ganglionic) based on pharmacology, and subunit composition of the receptors. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors,Nicotinic Receptors,Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor,Nicotinic Receptor,Acetylcholine Receptor, Nicotinic,Acetylcholine Receptors, Nicotinic,Receptor, Nicotinic,Receptor, Nicotinic Acetylcholine,Receptors, Nicotinic Acetylcholine
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
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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