Effects of TRH on cerebral and peripheral blood flows; role of submesencephalic brain stem centres

The localization of the origin of the cardiovascular effects elicited by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was attempted in this study. The radioactively labelled microsphere method was employed for measurement of regional cerebral (rCBF) and peripheral blood flow in albino rabbits anaesthetized with urethane. The effect of 50 micrograms and 2 mg kg-1 TRH (administered i.v.) on rCBF and peripheral blood flow was evaluated in animals with the brain stem sectioned (BSS) at the level of pons-mesencephalon. The cerebral vasodilating effect of TRH was abolished or attenuated, while the peripheral vasoconstriction and increase in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was unaffected. Cordotomy at the CI level caused a marked fall in MAP and abolished the pressor response to TRH. In animals infused with angiotensin II, in order to normalize the decreased MAP after cordotomy, TRH caused a marked increase in rCBF. Administration of 50 ng and 5 micrograms TRH into the fourth ventricle caused a marked peripheral vasoconstriction and pressor response. The same amounts of TRH administered into the mesencephalic aqueduct caused a marked increase in rCBF and peripheral vasoconstriction. The results indicate that TRH elicits the pressor and peripheral vasoconstrictor responses from a submesencephalic brain stem region. The increase in rCBF caused by TRH is probably mediated by a somewhat higher submesencephalic level.