13
Views
5
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

Adrenergic and serotoninergic receptors mediate the immunological activation of corticosterone secretion in male rats

, , , , , , & show all
Pages 149-154 | Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

In order to elucidate the mechanism of action of immune agents on corticosterone secretion, the present study evaluated the possible involvement of some neuronal pathways (serotoninergic, noradrenergic/adrenergic) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced corticosterone release in male rats. Serotoninergic antagonists, mianserin (5-HT2c receptor blocker) or pindolol (SHT1A receptor blocker) or noradrenergic/adrenergic antagonists, prazosin (α1-adrenoceptor blocker) or propranolol (β-adrenoceptor blocker), were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected before (5 mm) the administration of LPS. In each experiment a group of rats i.p. injected with vehicle served as controls. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation 90 min after administration of LPS and trunk blood was collected for corticosterone radioimmunoassay. Results showed that pretreatment with mianserin, but not with pindolol, significantly reduced plasma corticosterone levels following administration of LPS (p<0.05); prazosin attenuated the plasma corticosterone response to LPS (p<0.05), while propranolol did not induce significant change. The present study indicated that serotoninergic and noradrenergic/adrenergic pathways are involved in the immunoneuroendocrine modulation of hypothalamuspituitary—adrenal function in rats. In particular, it is probably mediated by the activation of 5-HT2C receptors and of α1-adrenoceptors, while type 1A serotonin receptors or β-adrenoceptors do not seem to be involved in such a phenomenon.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.