In vitro Regulation of Pituitary ACTH Secretion in Inflammatory Disease Susceptible Lewis (LEW/N) and Inflammatory Disease Resistant Fischer (F344/N) Rats

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Abstract

We have previously shown that susceptibility to inflammatory disease in Lewis (LEW/N) rats is related to their limited hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses to a variety of inflammatory stimuli, while the relative resistance to inflammatory disease in Fischer (F344/N) rats is related to their potent HPA axis responses to these same stimuli. In vivo studies also showed that LEW/N pituitary ACTH responses to exogenous corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) were blunted compared to F344/N. To determine if there is a fundamental difference in pituitary corticotroph function between the two strains, independent of other factors influencing the HPA axis, we compared ACTH responses to a variety of stimuli in LEW/N and F344/N primary pituitary cell cultures. Here we show that in vitro basal ACTH secretion and peak ACTH response to CRH, forskolin and 8-bromo-cAMP are 50% lower in LEW/N than F344/N rats. However, these findings can be explained by other observations: diminished basal ACTH content, POMC mRNA, and a decreased number of corticotrophs, in pituitary cell cultures from LEW/N compared to F344/N rats. In addition, LEW/N corticotrophs were more sensitive to dexamethasone and to corticosterone suppression of CRH-stimulated ACTH secretion compared to F344/N. The data support the possibility of an HPA axis defect in LEW/N rats at the pituitary level which could be secondary to prolonged understimulation by hypothalamic CRH, or could also be partially related to enhanced glucocorticoid feedback inhibition.

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Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): NEN

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Neuroendocrinology

Journal ID (doi): 10.1159/issn.0028-3835

Title: Neuroendocrinology

Publisher: S. Karger AG

ISSN (Print): 0028-3835

ISSN (Electronic): 1423-0194

Publication date Subscription-year: 1992

Publication date (Print): 1992

Publication date (Electronic): 07 April 2008

Volume: 56

Issue: 4

Pages: 474-482

Affiliations

^aUnit on Neuroendocrine Immunology and Behavior, Clinical Neuroendocrinology Branch, ^bPediatric Endocrinology Branch, NICHD, ^cArthritis and Rheumatism Branch, NIAMS, NIMH and NIH, Bethesda, Md, USA

Article

Publisher ID: 126264 Other ID: Neuroendocrinology 1992;56:474–482

DOI: 10.1159/000126264

PubMed ID: 1335552

SO-VID: 68b20f87-0d65-4491-abf3-9475bc89b34e

License:

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.

History

Date received : 16 October 1991

Date accepted : 20 February 1992

Page count

Pages: 9

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