Codepletion of serotonin and TRH induces apparent supersensitivity of spinal TRH receptors

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), substance P (SP) and serotonin (5-HT) coexist in raphe efferents to the spinal cord. Lesions of these serotonergic projections by intracisternal injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (50 micrograms) in rat pups resulted in 93% and 65% decreases in 5-HT and TRH content of adult rat spinal cords, respectively. This codepletion induced a 30-40% increase in binding of [3H][3-Me-His2]TRH [( 3H]MeTRH) to TRH receptors. The affinity and pharmacological specificity of [3H]MeTRH binding to control and DHT-lesioned cords appeared closely similar.