Valium Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Valium, including details on diazepam, depression, side-effects, withdrawal.

Endocrine and behavioral effects of neuromedin S.

Jászberényi M, Bagosi Z, Thurzó B, Földesi I, Telegdy G

Department of Pathophysiology, University of Szeged, H-6701, Szeged, Semmelweis u. 1., PO Box 427, Hungary.

The present experiments focused on the effects of neuromedin S on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation and behavior. The peptide (0.25-1 nmol) was administered intracerebroventricularly to rats, the behavior of which was monitored by means of telemetry, open field observations and an elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. Autonomic functions such as the temperature and the heart rate were recorded by telemetry. The action on the HPA axis was assessed via measurements of the plasma corticosterone and ACTH levels. To reveal the transmission of the endocrine responses, animals were pretreated with corticotrophin releasing hormone receptor (CRHR) antagonists (1 nmol). In the open field test, the animals were pretreated with either a CRHR(1) antagonist (antalarmin) or haloperidol (10 mug/kg), while in the EPM test they were pretreated with antalarmin or diazepam (1 mg/kg). The dopamine release from striatal and amygdala slices after peptide treatment was measured with a superfusion apparatus. Neuromedin S exerted dose-dependent effects on the HPA system, which were inhibited by antalarmin. It also activated grooming and decreased the entries to and time spent in the open arms during the EPM test. The grooming response was abolished by haloperidol and antalarmin pretreatment, while diazepam and antalarmin showed a tendency to attenuate the response evoked in the EPM test. In the superfusion studies, neuromedin S enhanced the dopamine release from the amygdala slices. These results demonstrate that neuromedin S stimulates the HPA axis through the CRHR(1) pathway and evokes stereotyped behavior and anxiety through mesolimbic dopamine and corticotrophin releasing hormone release.

Published 20 November 2007 in Horm Behav, 52(5): 631-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Valium Research Today. All Rights Reserved.