Effects of neuropeptides B and W on the rat pituitary-adrenocortical axis: In vivo and in vitro studies

  • Authors:
    • Anna Hochol
    • Cinzia Tortorella
    • Marcin Ricinski
    • Agnieszka Ziolkowska
    • Gastone G. Nussdorfer
    • Ludwik K. Malendowicz
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 1, 2007     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.19.2.207
  • Pages: 207-211
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Neuropeptides (NP) B and W are hypothalamic peptides involved in the regulation of feeding and neuro-endocrine axes. Evidence has been provided that NPB and NPW act on both the central and the peripheral branches of the rat hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, and we carried out in vivo and in vitro studies to gain insight into this topic. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed the expression of NPB, NPW and their receptors in both adrenal cortex (zonae glomerulosa and fasciculata-reticularis) and adrenal medulla, where immunocytochemistry also detected the presence of abundant NPB- and NPW-immunoreactivity. The acute subcutaneous administration of NPB (0.5 or 1.5 nmol/100 g) did not alter ACTH plasma concentration, while that of NPW (1.5 nmol/100 g) decreased it. Neither NPB nor NPW affected the blood level of aldosterone, while both peptides (0.5 nmol/100 g) raised that of corticosterone. NPB (10−6 M) lowered ACTH-stimulated aldosterone secretion, and basal and ACTH-stimulated corticosterone production from adrenal quarters containing both cortical and medullary tissues. NPW (10−6 M) enhanced basal aldosterone secretion from adrenal quarters, and the effect was suppressed by the β-adrenoceptor antagonist l-alprenolol (10−5 M). NPW did not affect corticosterone production. Collectively, our findings allow us to draw the following tentative conclusions: i) ACTH-independent extra-adrenal mechanism(s) are operative in vivo, by which NPB and NPW stimulate adrenal glucocorticoid, but not mineralocorticoid secretion; ii) in vitro the interaction of NPB with adrenal medulla activates unknown mechanism(s) hampering adrenocortical steroidogenic machinery; and iii) NPW stimulates in vitro aldosterone secretion by enhancing the release of medullary catecholamines, which in turn activate β-adrenoceptors located on zona glomerulosa cells.

Related Articles

Journal Cover

February 2007
Volume 19 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Hochol A, Tortorella C, Ricinski M, Ziolkowska A, Nussdorfer GG and Malendowicz LK: Effects of neuropeptides B and W on the rat pituitary-adrenocortical axis: In vivo and in vitro studies. Int J Mol Med 19: 207-211, 2007.
APA
Hochol, A., Tortorella, C., Ricinski, M., Ziolkowska, A., Nussdorfer, G.G., & Malendowicz, L.K. (2007). Effects of neuropeptides B and W on the rat pituitary-adrenocortical axis: In vivo and in vitro studies. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 19, 207-211. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.19.2.207
MLA
Hochol, A., Tortorella, C., Ricinski, M., Ziolkowska, A., Nussdorfer, G. G., Malendowicz, L. K."Effects of neuropeptides B and W on the rat pituitary-adrenocortical axis: In vivo and in vitro studies". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 19.2 (2007): 207-211.
Chicago
Hochol, A., Tortorella, C., Ricinski, M., Ziolkowska, A., Nussdorfer, G. G., Malendowicz, L. K."Effects of neuropeptides B and W on the rat pituitary-adrenocortical axis: In vivo and in vitro studies". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 19, no. 2 (2007): 207-211. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.19.2.207