Modification of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical activity by serotonergic agents in the rat

  • Pharmacology. 1997 Aug;55(2):59-65. doi: 10.1159/000139513.
G K Matheson  1 ,  A Knowles ,  D Gage ,  C Michel ,  D Guthrie ,  C Bauer ,  J Blackbourne ,  D Weinzapfel
Affiliations
  • 1. Neurobiology Laboratory, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Evansville 44712, USA. [email protected]
PMID: 9323305 DOI: 10.1159/000139513
Abstract

The effects of tandospirone, enciprazine, gepirone, buspirone (5-HT1A agents) and carvotroline (5-HT2) on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical activity (HPA) activity were studied. These drugs increased the plasma corticosterone levels in a dose-dependent manner. Their ED50 values were 3.8, 31.8, 3.1, 3.4 and 7.0 mg/kg, respectively. Drug effects peaked between 30 min and 1 h, and plasma corticosterone levels returned to control levels after 2 h. When the drugs were given in conjunction with a rotatory stress, gepirone and enciprazine increased and carvotroline decreased plasma corticosterone levels. Dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg) pretreatment reduced drug-activated HPA axis activity.

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