On the Role of Brain Mineralocorticoid (Type I) and Glucocorticoid (Type II) Receptors in Neuroendocrine Regulation (original) (raw)

Skip Nav Destination

Article navigation

Issue Cover

Research Articles| April 02 2008

Anna Ratka;

Rudolf Magnus Institute for Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands

Search for other works by this author on:

Winardi Sutanto;

Rudolf Magnus Institute for Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands

Search for other works by this author on:

Margreet Bloemers;

Rudolf Magnus Institute for Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands

Search for other works by this author on:

Ronald de Kloet

Rudolf Magnus Institute for Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands

Search for other works by this author on:

Neuroendocrinology (1989) 50 (2): 117–123.

Content Tools

Abstract

Administrations of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist (anti-glucocorticoid, RU38486) and the mineralocorticoid antagonist (anti-mineralocorticoid, RU28318) followed by frequent, sequential blood sampling were employed to investigate the possible role the brain mineralocorticoid receptor (MR, type I) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR, type II) have in the regulation of basal and stress-induced adrenocortical secretion in the rat. The anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-glucocorticoid were administered subcutaneously (s.c.) at doses of 2.5 mg and 1.0 mg/100 g body weight, respectively. Both antagonists were also given intracerebro-ventricularly (i.c.v.) at a dose of 100 ng/rat. Under basal non-stressed conditions (at the diurnal trough in the morning), injections of either saline, anti-glucocorticoid (s.c. or i.c.v.) or anti-mineralocorticoid (s.c.) did not have effect on the plasma corticosterone level. The anti-mineralocorticoid given intracerebroventricularly, however, caused an elevation of plasma corticosterone up to 60 min after the injection. Exposure of the rats to a novel environment resulted in a large increase in the plasma corticosterone level, which was slightly reduced in the rats treated with the anti-glucocorticoid. In vehicle-treated rats, the level returned to basal values at 90 min, while in the anti-glucocorticoid- and anti-mineralocorticoid-treated groups, it remained elevated for prolonged periods. The present study thus shows that (1) the anti-glucocorticoid RU38486 via the brain GR has no effect on the basal plasma corticosterone level in the morning but interferes with a glucocorticoid negative feedback following stress and (2) the anti-mineralocorticoid RU28318 via the brain MR elevates the basal plasma corticosterone level and enhances adrenocortical secretion following stress. Accordingly, both antagonists caused prolonged adrenocortical secretion following stress. Such an effect caused by the anti-mineralocorticoid is probably due to an enhanced stress responsiveness resulting from a blockade of the limbic MR and that caused by the anti-glucocorticoid resulting from a blockade of GR involved in the termination of the stress response.

This content is only available via PDF.

© 1989 S. Karger AG, Basel

1989

Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer

Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.

Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

You do not currently have access to this content.

Sign in

Digital Version

Pay-Per-View Access

$39.00

1 Karger Article Bundle Token

$150

Rental

This article is also available for rental through DeepDyve.