Intraventricular administration of nerve growth factor induces ornithine decarboxylase in peripheral tissues of the rat.

Abstract
Intraventricular administration of nerve growth factor [NGF] causes an increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) in liver, kidney and adrenal as well as in brain itself. An increase in the concentration of corticosterone in the blood was also observed. Adrenalectomy, hypophysectomy, or pituitary stalk section inhibits the increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity in the peripheral tissues. Ornithine decarboxylase activity in the brain, however, responds to NGF in these animals. NGF causes an activation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal endocrine system.