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Glucocorticoid receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) decrease endocrine and behavioral stress
Sriparna Ghosal1, Jana Bundzikova-Osacka1, C Mark Dolgas1
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati Metabolic Diseases Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45237, United States.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|May 22, 2014
Summary
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) inhibits stress responses. Blocking NTS GR worsens endocrine and behavioral stress reactions, revealing its crucial role in stress regulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates stress responses via glucocorticoids.
- Glucocorticoid receptors (GR) modulate HPA axis activity.
- The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is vital for processing stress signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of GR within the NTS in regulating endocrine and behavioral responses to stress.
- To test the hypothesis that NTS GR signaling inhibits stress-induced responses.
Main Methods:
- Rats received NTS microimplants of corticosterone (GR activator), mifepristone (GR antagonist), or cholesterol (control).
- Animals were subjected to acute psychogenic stress or chronic variable stress (CVS).
- Hormonal levels (corticosterone), Fos immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and behavioral tests (elevated plus maze, forced swim test) were assessed.
Main Results:
- NTS GR antagonism amplified acute stress-induced corticosterone release.
- NTS GR activation attenuated the acute stress response.
- Following CVS, NTS GR antagonism elevated basal and post-stress corticosterone levels and increased PVN Fos immunoreactivity.
- NTS GR inhibition exacerbated anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in behavioral tests.
Conclusions:
- NTS GR signaling plays a critical inhibitory role in both endocrine and behavioral responses to acute and chronic stress.
- Targeting NTS GR may offer therapeutic potential for stress-related disorders.
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