ISSN:
1432-1440
Keywords:
Human corticotropin-releasing factor (hCRF)
;
ACTH
;
Cortisol
;
Naloxone
;
Opioid receptor blockade
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Administration of synthetic human corticotropin-releasing factor (hCRF; 2 µg/kg body weight) to six normal male subjects produced a significant rise in plasma ACTH, followed by an increase in circulating cortisol. Simultaneous treatment with the opioid antagonist naloxone (1.6 mg i.v. bolus, followed by an infusion at a rate of 1.2 mg/h) significantly potentiated the hCRF-induced rise in ACTH and enhanced the cortisol response to hCRF. It is suggested that naloxone acts by antagonizing an inhibitory ultra-short-loop feedback effect of coreleased β-endorphin on pituitary corticotrophs, thereby amplifying the net effect of hCRF, i.e., the release of ACTH.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01712837
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