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Dose-dependent dual effect of corticosterone on cerebral 5-HT metabolism

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Abstract

The action of 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg (i.p.) of corticosterone on serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) contents and on serotonin turnover, measured by an MAO-inhibitor method, was studied at 30 and 120 min after administration. A 1.0 mg/kg dose of corticosterone increased the serotonin content and turnover in the hypothalamus and mesencephalon 30 min after administration; however, it was ineffective on dorsal hippocampus and frontal and parietal cortex. 5-HIAA content did not change significantly in any of the brain areas studied. A 10.0 mg/kg dose of corticosterone decreased the serotonin content and turnover in the hypothalamus and mesencephalon; it was ineffective in other brain areas investigated. 5-HIAA content significantly decreased in the hypothalamus while it increased in the mesencephalon and dorsal hippocampus. In the parietal and frontal cortex, 5-HIAA content did not change following administration of 10.0 mg/kg of corticosterone. At 120 min after corticosterone administration, neither 5-HT content and turnover nor 5-HIAA content showed any change in the brain areas investigated. The results suggest that corticosteroids might change the activity of the brain serotoninergic system in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and in this way the serotoninergic system might play an important role in mediation of the corticosteroid effect exerted on brain function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathophysiology, University Medical School, Szeged, Hungary

    Gábor L. Kovács, Judit Kishonti, Kálmán Lissák & Gyula Telegdy

  2. Department of Physiology, University Medical School, Pécs, Hungary

    Gábor L. Kovács, Judit Kishonti, Kálmán Lissák & Gyula Telegdy

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  1. Gábor L. Kovács
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  2. Judit Kishonti
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  3. Kálmán Lissák
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  4. Gyula Telegdy
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Kovács, G.L., Kishonti, J., Lissák, K. et al. Dose-dependent dual effect of corticosterone on cerebral 5-HT metabolism. Neurochem Res 2, 311–322 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00969361

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