Stimulation of corticosterone and β-endorphin secretion in the rat by selective 5-HT receptor subtype activation

James I. Koenig, Gary A. Gudelsky*, Herbert Y. Meltzer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

193 Scopus citations

Abstract

Changes in plasma concentrations of corticosterone and β-endorphin (β-END) were determined in male rats after treatment with the selective 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) or the non-selective 5-HT agonist 6-chloro-2-(1-piperazinyl)pyrazine (MK-212). The administration of either 8-OH-DPAT or MK-212 increased plasma concentrations of both corticosterone and β-END in a dose-related manner. The corticosterone and β-END responses to 8-OH-DPAT were antagonized by spiperone and (-)-pindolol, both of which have been shown to have high affinity for the 5-HT1A binding site. In contrast, antagonists which are selective for the 5-HT2 receptor or non-selective 5-HT antagonists were without effect on the hormone responses to 8-OH-DPAT. The MK-212-induced increase in plasma concentrations of corticosterone and β-END were not affected by treatment with the 5-HT1A antagonists spiperone and (-)-pindolol. However, the corticosterone and β-END responses to MK-212 were attenuated by the selective 5-HT2 antagonists ketanserin, ritanserin and altanserin, as well as by the non-selective 5-HT antagonist metergoline. It is concluded that stimulation of either 5-HT1A or 5-HT2 receptors results in an activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the rat.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmacology
Volume137
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 7 1987

Funding

The editorial assistance of Lee Mason is gratefully appreciated. This work was supported by USPH Grants MH 30,938 and MH 30,057. H.Y.M. is the recipient of USPHS RCDA

Keywords

  • 5-HT
  • 5-HT
  • Corticosterone
  • Serotonin receptor subtypes
  • β-Endorphin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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