Abstract

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is the major physiological regulator of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion from the anterior pituitary. In vivo and in vitro studies have suggested that hypothalamic CRF secretion is under stimulatory serotonergic control, although the receptor subtype(s) responsible have not been definitely determined. The acute effects of the 5-hydroxytryptamine2 agonist, (+-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOB), were examined on a number of biochemical indices of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in vivo. DOB increased plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations at doses greater than 0.1 mg/kg. This effect is dose-dependent. Peak effects occurred 30 min postinjection and returned to basal levels by 4 hr after DOB injection. These effects of DOB are hypothesized to be mediated by the release of hypothalamic CRF because pretreatment with the CRF receptor antagonist (alpha-helical CRF9-41) significantly attenuated the ACTH response to DOB. Median eminence CRF content was also decreased following DOB administration in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (200 mg/kg i.p.), suggestive of release of CRF from median eminence terminals as a result of DOB activation of CRF neurons. DOB administration was without effect on brain CRF concentrations in all of the 12 extrahypothalamic brain regions studied 60 min after injection. These results, taken together, support a stimulatory role for 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptors on hypothalamic CRF secretion.