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Atriopeptin: an endogenous corticotropin-release inhibiting hormone
F A Antoni1, E F Hunter, P J Lowry
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Edinburgh, U.K.
Endocrinology
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Atriopeptin acts as a stress hormone regulator. This study shows atriopeptin inhibits stress-induced adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion, suggesting its role in managing the body's stress response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis is central to the stress response.
- Current models focus on stimulation of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and inhibition by corticosteroids, but a hypothalamic inhibitory hormone lacks definitive evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of atriopeptin in regulating the HPA axis.
- To determine if atriopeptin functions as a corticotropin-release inhibiting hormone.
Main Methods:
- Conscious rats were subjected to stress.
- Immunoneutralisation of atriopeptin was performed.
- ACTH and corticosterone levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Stress-induced secretion of ACTH and corticosterone was significantly enhanced following atriopeptin immunoneutralisation.
- This indicates that atriopeptin normally suppresses ACTH release.
Conclusions:
- Atriopeptin is proposed as a physiologically relevant corticotropin-release inhibiting hormone.
- This finding offers new insights into the neuroendocrine regulation of stress.