EFFECT OF IMIPRAMINE AND ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN ADMINISTRATION ON THE RAT-BRAIN NOREPINEPHRINE-COUPLED CYCLIC-NUCLEOTIDE GENERATING-SYSTEM - ALTERATIONS IN ALPHA-ADRENERGIC AND BETA-ADRENERGIC COMPONENTS

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  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 234  (2) , 409-414
Abstract
Continuous treatment (1-3 wk) with imipramine or ACTH decreases the responsiveness of the norepinephrine-coupled cyclic nucleotide generating system in rat brain cerebral cortex. Experiments were undertaken to determine which component of the 2nd messenger system is influnced by the hormone and antidepressant. Neither treatment modified the amount or function of extractable stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein or the activities of adenylate cyclase or phosphodiesterase. While both impipramine and ACTH treatment decreased the cAMP response to norepinephrine, only imipramine administration influenced the response to isoproterenol. ACTH treatment was found to reduce the .alpha. adrenergic potentiation of isoproterenol- and 2-chloroadenosine-stimulated cAMP production, as well as reduce the sensitivity of the norepinephrine response to prazosin. Apparently, imipramine and ACTH treatments decrease the responsiveness of the rat brain norepinephrine-stimulated cAMP generating system through actions on the .alpha. and .beta. adrenergic receptor components. Noradrenergic receptor activity may be under the control of adrenal and/or pituitary hormones.