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Serotonergic and cholinergic interaction in the regulation of pituitary-adrenal function in rats

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Summary

It has been proposed that the central serotonergic inputs which modulate pituitary-adrenal secretion are mediated by cholinergic neurons. We have tested this hypothesis in intact rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with cholinergic and serotonergic agents which enhanced transmitter function and with receptor blocking agents. Agents were injected, singly and in combination, into both unstressed and stressed animals. Since the response to cholinergic agents might be due to changes to vasopressin release, Brattleboro (vasopressin deficient) rats were also injected with cholinergic agents. The level of plasma corticosterone at 1-h post-injection was determined.

Results indicate that the serotonin receptor blockade decreased the stimulatory, cholinergic effect of physostigmine. Cholinergic receptor blockers did not significantly reduce the corticosterone rise induced by 5-hydroxytryptophan. These results do not support the hypothesis of cholinergic mediation of serotonergic input. Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors appeared to exert opposing influences on the system. The nicotinic receptor antagonist was able to block the stimulatory effect of physostigmine. The muscarinic receptor antagonist significantly elevated plasma corticosterone levels. No differences were found in the effect of physostigmine on Brattleboro rats as compared to controls. These data are interpreted as suggesting that 1) the acetylcholine-induced stimulation of pituitary-adrenal function is mediated, in part, by serotonergic neurons; and 2) stimulation of nicotinic receptors is facilitatory whereas stimulation of muscarinic receptors is inhibitory to pituitary-adrenal function.

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Author notes

  1. J. P. Kile

    Present address: Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, Texas A & M University, 77843, College Station, TX, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 24061, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

    J. P. Kile & B. B. Turner

  2. Department of Physiology, 780 A Quillen-Dishner College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Box 19, 37614, Johnson City, TN, USA

    B. B. Turner

Authors
  1. J. P. Kile
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Additional information

Acknowledgment. This work was supported by NIH Biomedical Research Support Grant 2-S07-07095-13. The authors thank Ms Karen Hoyt and Mrs Kathleen Marshall for preparation of the manuscript.

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Kile, J.P., Turner, B.B. Serotonergic and cholinergic interaction in the regulation of pituitary-adrenal function in rats. Experientia 41, 1123–1127 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01951690

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