[The effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine on adrenocortical function of rats].
摘要
The output of total free reducing plasma steroids from the adrenal vein (Ohen el al., 1955) of intact or hypophysectomized rats was determined two hours after the intraperitonoal injection of 5-HT creatinine sulfate at a dose of 100 μg/ 100 g body weight or 200μg/100 g body weight. Adrenal ascorbic acid depletion (Roe and Kuethor, 1943), eosinopenia and lymphopenia were also used as indirect criteria. It was found that in intact rats the administration of 5-HT was followed by a significant increase in the output of total free reducing plasma steroids in the adrenal vein and a marked decrease in the adrenal content of ascorbic acid. The number of circulating eosinophils and lymphocytes was also significantly reduced in intact rats receiving 200μg/100 g body weight 5-HT. However, all these changes were not observed in hypophysectomized rats under the same treatments. The present experimental results indicate that the stimulating effect of 5-HT on the adrenal cortical activity is produced via the release of ACTH from the pituitary gland.