Abstract
In order to clarify whether the pineal gland and its principles play a role in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis several indole derivatives synthetized in the gland (melatonin, 5-hydroxytryptophol, 5-methoxytryptophol, etc.) have been injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid of normal rats, through a cannula chronically implanted into one of the lateral ventricles of the brain. The effects of such principles on the plasma levels of corticosterone have been evaluated. The intracerebral way of administration has been selected because previous studies had indicated that the endocrine effects of pineal principles are mediated by specific receptors present in the central nervous system (Martini 1969, Fraschini and Martini 1970). Moreover, it has been repeatedly reported that indole and methoxyindole derivatives do not cross easily the blood brain barrier following systemic administrations (Wurtman et al. 1968).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bhattacharya, A. N. and Marks, B. H. (1969): Effects of pargyline and amphetamine upon acute stress responses in rats. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N. Y.) 130, 1194–1198.
Oarr, L. A. and Moore, K. E. (1968): Effects of reserpine and alpha-methyltyrosine on brain catecholamines and the pituitary-adrenal response. Neuroendocrinology3, 285–302.
Critchlow, V., Liebelt, R. A., Bar-Sela, M., Mountcastle, W. and Lipscomb, H. S. (1963): Sex difference in resting pituitary-adrenal function in the rat. Amer. J. Physiol.205, 807–815.
David-Nelson, M. A. and Brodish, A. (1969): Evidence for a diurnal rhythm of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. Endocrinology85, 861–866.
Fraschini, F. and Martini, L. (1970): Rhythmic phenomena and pineal principles. In: The Hypothalamus. Ed. by L. Martini, M. Motta and F. Fraschini. Academic Press, New York. pp. 529–549.
Fraschini, F., Mangili, G., Motta, M. and Martini, L. (1964): Midbrain and feedback control of adrenocorticotrophin secretion. Endocrinology75, 765–769.
Giuliani, G., Motta, M. and Martini, L. (1966): Reserpine and corticotrophin secretion. Acta endocr. (Kbh.) 51, 203–209.
Guillemin, R., Clayton, G. W., Lipscomb, H. S. and Smith, J. D. (1959): Fluoro-metric measurement of rat plasma and adrenal corticosterone concentration. J. Lab. clin. Med.53, 830–832.
Klein, D. C. and Weller, J. L. (1970): Indole metabolism in the pineal gland: a circadian rhythm in N-acetyltransferase. Science169, 1093–1094.
Mangili, G., Motta, M., Muciaccia, W. and Martini, L. (1965): Midbrain stress and ACTH secretion. Europ. Bev. Endocr.1, 247–253.
Mangili, G., Motta, M. and Martini, L. (1966): Control of adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion. Tn: Neuroendocrhwlogy. Vol. I. Ed. by L. Martini and W. F. Ganong. Academic Press, New York. pp. 297–370.
Martini, L. (1969): Action of hormones on the central nervous system. Gen. comp. Endocr. Suppl. 2, 214–226.
Retiene, K. (1970): Control of circadian periodicities in pituitary function. In: The Hypothalamus. Ed. by L. Martini, M. Motta and F. Fraschini. Academic Press, New York. pp. 551–568.
Retiene, K., Zimmerman, E., Schindler, W. J., Neuenschwander, J. and Lipscomb, H. S. (1968): A correlative study of endocrine rhythms in rats. Acta endocrin. (Kbh.) 57, 615–622.
Sheridan, M. N., Reiter, R. J. and Jacobs, J. J. (1969): An interesting anatomical relationship between the hamster pineal gland and the ventricular system of the brain. J. Endocr.45, 131–132.
Van Loon, G. R., Scapagnini, U., Cohen, R. and Ganong, W. F. (1971): Effect of intraventricular administration of adrenergic drugs on the adrenal venous 17-hydroxycorticosteroid response to surgical stress in the dog. Neuroendocrinology8, 257–272.
Van Peenen, P. F. D. and Way, E. L. (1957): The effect of certain central nervous system depressants on pituitary-adrenal activating agents. J. Pharmacol, exp. Ther.120, 261–267.
Wurtman, R. J. (1970): The role of brain and pineal indoles in neuroendocrine mechanisms. In: The Hypothalamus. Ed. by L. Martini, M. Motta and F. Fraschini. Academic Press, New York. pp. 153–165.
Wurtman, R. J., Axelrod, J. and Kelly, D. E. (1968): The Pineal. Academic Press, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1973 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Piva, F., Schiaffini, O., Motta, M., Martini, L. (1973). The Role of Pineal Principles in the Control of ACTH Secretion. In: Lissák, K. (eds) Hormones and Brain Function. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2007-4_23
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2007-4_23
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-2009-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-2007-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive