Effect of morphine on hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and pituitary-adrenocortical activity

Endocrinol Jpn. 1986 Aug;33(4):441-8. doi: 10.1507/endocrj1954.33.441.

Abstract

The effects of intraperitoneal and intra-third ventricular administration of morphine on the hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the pituitary-adrenocortical activity were examined in unanesthetized, freely moving rats. Hypothalamic CRF was measured by rat CRF radioimmunoassay. Intraperitoneal or intra-third ventricular administration of morphine increased blood concentrations of ACTH and corticosterone while intraperitoneal administration tended to increase CRF concentration in the whole hypothalamus including the median eminence and intra-third ventricular administration increased CRF concentration in the hypothalamus excluding the median eminence. However, morphine seemed to inhibit the increase in CRF concentration in the hypothalamus induced by the ether-laparotomy stress. The main site of morphine action on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical system seemed to be in the hypothalamic area.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
  • Animals
  • Corticosterone / blood
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism*
  • Hypothalamus / drug effects*
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Injections, Intraventricular
  • Male
  • Morphine / administration & dosage
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains

Substances

  • Morphine
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Corticosterone