Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P01178 (oxytocin)
 15,767 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

To study the oxytocic effect of trypsin, we measured the force of isometric contraction in uteri isolated from estrogenized rats exposed to trypsin (8.8 x 10(-10) to 1.7 x 10(-6) mol/L) either alone or in the presence of receptor antagonists to angiotensin II [saralasin ([Sar1,Ala8]angiotensin II) or DuP 753 (losartan)] or to kinins (D-[Arg0,Hyp3,Thi5,8,D-Phe7]-bradykinin). We found that saralasin or DuP 753, but not the kinin antagonist, displaced the dose-response curve to the right. Exposure to exogenous angiotensin I desensitized the preparation to further doses of either angiotensin I or II or trypsin, without altering the effects of oxytocin or bradykinin. Enalaprilat (an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor) or pepstatin A (a renin inhibitor) also displaced the dose-response curve to trypsin to the right, without altering the effects of oxytocin or angiotensin II. Our results indicate that the response to trypsin is mediated by an agent produced from a substrate present in the uterus and acting on the angiotensin II type 1 receptor and are consistent with both renin and angiotensin I converting enzyme being involved in its mechanism of action, thus supporting the notions that the renin-angiotensin system may be important in the late stages of pregnancy and that serine proteases existing in the uterus may contribute to its activation.
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PMID:Oxytocic effect of trypsin on the isolated rat uterus. 828 69

Various endocrine responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) agonists were used to assess serotonergic receptor function after chronic treatment with the antidepressants fluoxetine (10 mg/kg), a 5-HT uptake blocker and the norepinephrine uptake blocker desipramine (DMI, 5 mg/kg). Both were injected (i.p.) once a day for 21 days. DOI (5-HT1C/2 agonist, 0-5 mg/kg i.p.) and 6-chloro-2-[1-piperazinyl]-pyrazine (MK-212) (less selective, but predominantly a 5-HT1C agonist, 0-20 mg/kg i.p.) were administered 18 hr after the final antidepressant injection and 30 min before decapitation. Chronic treatment with both fluoxetine and DMI produced a potentiation in most hormone responses to the 5-HT agonists (+-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-amino-propane HCl (DOI) and MK-212, although there were several differences in individual hormone responses to the two 5-HT agonists. Fluoxetine and DMI potentiated the MK-212- and DOI-induced increase of plasma oxytocin levels and potentiated the effect of DOI on plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (corticotropin) and prolactin levels. In contrast, the effect of the high dose of MK-212 on plasma prolactin concentration was reduced by both antidepressants. Only MK-212 increased vasopressin levels and this effect was potentiated by fluoxetine, but not by DMI. Fluoxetine also significantly increased the resting level of plasma vasopressin. DMI potentiated the effect of MK-212 on plasma renin concentration. Pretreatment with fluoxetine significantly increased (38%) the Bmax for the 5-HT1C/2 agonist sites ([125I]DOI) in the hypothalamus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Long-term treatment with the antidepressants fluoxetine and desipramine potentiates endocrine responses to the serotonin agonists 6-chloro-2-[1-piperazinyl]-pyrazine (MK-212) and (+-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane HCl (DOI). 839 20

Central serotonin (5-HT) and angiotensin (ANG II) stimulate arginine vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OT), and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion and increase blood pressure. Studies were conducted in conscious rats to determine whether neuroendocrine activation by 5-HT requires a brain angiotensinergic intermediate pathway. In the first study, ANG II formation was inhibited by the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril before injection of the 5-HT releaser/uptake inhibitor d-fenfluramine. Fenfluramine (2 mg/kg ip) stimulated AVP, OT, corticosterone, and prolactin (PRL) secretion (P<0.01). Enalapril (60 mg/l in drinking water for 4 days and 10 mg/kg ip 2 h before the rats were killed) inhibited only the AVP response (P<0.01) to d-fenfluramine. In the second study, the effect of intracerebroventricular injection of the 5-HT2A/2C antagonist LY-53857 (10 microgram), or the ANG II AT1 antagonist DuP-753 (10 microgram), on intracerebroventricular 5-HT (10 microgram)-stimulated AVP, OT, ACTH, PRL, renin secretion, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) was tested. LY-53857 inhibited the AVP, OT, and ACTH responses to 5-HT (P<0.01), whereas DuP-753 inhibited only the AVP response (P<0.01). Intraventricular injection of 5-HT increased MAP and decreased HR. The MAP response was not affected by LY-53857 or DuP-753, and at no time did MAP decline below starting levels. The decreased HR was inhibited by LY-53857 but not by DuP-753. These results demonstrate that 5-HT-induced AVP secretion is mediated selectively via brain angiotensinergic mechanisms by way of the AT1 receptor.
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PMID:Neuroendocrine and cardiovascular effects of serotonin: selective role of brain angiotensin on vasopressin. 863

Endothelins (ETs) were initially thought to be primarily involved in the control of cardiovascular activity, but the presence of ETs and their receptors in a wide variety of other tissues has suggested a much broader range of functions. Specific receptors for ETs are found in nonvascular tissues including neuronal, neuroendocrine, and endocrine cells. In addition, immunoreactive ETs are present in the brain, pituitary, and peripheral endocrine tissues. However, the ET levels in hypothalamo-hypophysial portal and peripheral blood are low, suggesting that the ET system participates in neuroendocrine regulation through paracrine and/or autocrine mechanisms. Both ETA and ETB receptors are expressed in the hypothalamus, adrenal, parathyroid glands, pancreas, ovary, uterus, placenta, and prostate, while only ETA receptors are expressed in GT1 neurons, anterior pituitary cells, alpha T3-1 immortalized gonadotropes, parathyroid-derived cells, thyrocytes, testicular Leydig and Sertoli cells, normal and neoplastic ovarian granulosa cells, chondrocytes, and other cell types. Activation of ET receptors elicits the sequence of cellular events typical of Ca(2+)-mobilizing receptors, with prominent increases in phosphoinositide hydrolysis and elevations of [Ca2+]i that occur in oscillatory and nonoscillatory modes depending on the cell type. ET-induced activation of the phosphoinositide/Ca(2+)- mobilizing pathway in neuronal and endocrine cells is associated with rapid stimulation of secretory responses, including release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, oxytocin, vasopressin, substance P, atrial natriuretic peptides, gonadotropins, thyrotropin, growth hormone, parathyroid hormone, aldosterone, and catecholamines. On the other hand, ET has inhibitory actions on prolactin, progesterone, and renin release. In addition to stimulating phospholipase C-dependent pathways, ETs also activate phospholipase D-and MAP-kinase-dependent pathways in some of their target cells, as well as expression of early response genes and increased mitogenic activity. In many neuroendocrine cells, ET induces rapid and marked desensitization of its signaling system, in association with extensive internalization of ET receptors and reduced signaling and secretory responses. These findings raise the possibility that ETs participate in the control of secretory responses in the hypothalamo-pituitary system and peripheral endocrine cells, as well as in long-term aspects of regulation in certain neuroendocrine cells.
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PMID:Expression and signal transduction pathways of endothelin receptors in neuroendocrine cells. 881 99

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)-releasing drugs are important experimental tools to examine the role of serotonergic nerve terminals in the secretion of hormones. The drugs 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)butane (MBDB), 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan (MMAI) and p-methylthioamphetamine (MTA) have been suggested to be 5-HT releasers. The present study characterized MBDB, MMAI and MTA by using their effects on the secretion of the hormones adrenal corticotrophin (ACTH), corticosterone, prolactin, oxytocin and renin. The time course of the effect of MBDB, MMAI and MTA (5 mg/kg, i.p.) showed that the peak effect on plasma ACTH occurred 10 min after the injection, whereas the prolactin response did not reach a maximum until 30 min after injection. MBDB increased plasma renin concentration within 10 min, whereas the effect of MTA was significant only at 30 min after injection. All three 5-HT releasers decreased HR (within 5 min) and blood pressure (at 15 min after injection). MBDB, MMAI and MTA increased plasma ACTH, corticosterone, prolactin and renin levels in a dose-dependent manner, whereas no changes were observed in plasma vasopressin concentrations. MTA and MMAI, but not MBDB, significantly increased plasma oxytocin concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of rats with fluoxetine blocked the ACTH response to MBDB and MMAI, but not to MTA. The prolactin response to all three 5-HT releasers was blocked by fluoxetine. The oxytocin response to MTA and MMAI was inhibited by fluoxetine. The renin responses to all three 5-HT releasers were not significantly inhibited by fluoxetine. The results suggest that MBDB, MMAI and MTA can increase the secretion of several hormones, at least in part, through stimulation of serotonergic neurotransmission. However, these three 5-HT releasers seem to have effects on other (and as yet uncharacterized) mechanisms that can stimulate the secretion of some hormones.
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PMID:Neuroendocrine pharmacology of three serotonin releasers: 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)butane (MBDB), 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan (MMAi) and p-methylthioamphetamine (MTA). 896 49

Previous studies suggest that the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) increases the secretion of oxytocin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone and prolactin but not renin. However, the lack of selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonists made it difficult to confirm that 5-HT1A receptors mediate the neuroendocrine responses to 8-OH-DPAT. This study investigated the effects of increasing doses of a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide (WAY-100635) on neuroendocrine responses induced by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT in adult male rats. 8-OH-DPAT, 500 microg/kg s.c., increased plasma levels of oxytocin (to 970% above basal levels); ACTH (to 1622% above basal levels), corticosterone (to 458% above basal levels) and prolactin (to 313% above basal levels), but not renin. The lowest dose of WAY-100635 (0.1 mg/kg s.c.) significantly inhibited the 8-OH-DPAT-induced increase in plasma oxytocin but not ACTH or corticosterone levels. At a dose of 1 mg/kg (s.c.), WAY-100635 completely blocked the oxytocin and ACTH responses and maximally inhibited the corticosterone response to 8-OH-DPAT, although corticosterone levels were still above basal. In contrast, the increase in prolactin secretion, induced by 8-OH-DPAT was not inhibited by any dose of WAY-100635. At the highest dose of WAY-100635 (10 mg/kg, s.c.), basal prolactin levels were markedly elevated (1550%) and administration of 8-OH-DPAT significantly elevated plasma renin concentration. Taken together, these data indicate that: (1) 8-OH-DPAT stimulates oxytocin, ACTH, and corticosterone but not prolactin secretion via activation of 5-HT1A receptors and (2) blockade of 5-HT1A receptors may unmask 8-OH-DPAT simulation of renin secretion via non-5-HT1A receptor mechanisms.
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PMID:WAY-100635 inhibits 8-OH-DPAT-stimulated oxytocin, ACTH and corticosterone, but not prolactin secretion. 965 68

In the present study, we examined denervation-induced changes in the sensitivity of hypothalamic postsynaptic serotonin1A (5-HT1A) receptor function with respect to changes in the dose-dependent elevation in plasma hormones [adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone, prolactin, oxytocin, prolactin, renin and vasopressin] by the 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). Rats received intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of the serotonin neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) or vehicle (0.1% ascorbate in saline) 3 weeks before challenge with increasing doses of 8-OH-DPAT (0, 10, 50 or 200 micrograms/kg s.c.). The effectiveness of 5,7-DHT-induced destruction of serotonergic neurons was confirmed by a 93% reduction in [3H]paroxetine-labeled 5-HT uptake sites in the hypothalamus. No changes in basal levels of ACTH, corticosterone, oxytocin, prolactin, renin and vasopressin were observed in rats that received i.c.v. 5,7-DHT injections. The dose-response curves for 8-OH-DPAT-induced elevations of plasma corticosterone and prolactin levels were shifted to the left in rats treated with 5,7-DHT, whereas no significant difference in the ACTH dose-response curve was observed between rats treated with vehicle and rats treated with 5,7-DHT. In contrast, the maximal oxytocin response to 8-OH-DPAT was attenuated in rats treated with 5,7-DHT. A 5,7-DHT-induced decline in the synthesis of oxytocin could explain this phenomenon. Although 8-OH-DPAT did not increase plasma levels of renin or vasopressin in rats treated with vehicle, 8-OH-DPAT produced an elevation (75%) in plasma renin concentration but not in vasopressin levels in rats that received i.c.v. injections of 5,7-DHT. No change was observed in [3H]8-OH-DPAT labeled 5-HT1A receptors in the hypothalamus. In summary, denervation of hypothalamic serotonergic nerve terminals produces supersensitivity of some neuroendocrine responses to 8-OH-DPAT independent of changes in the density of hypothalamic 5-HT1A receptors.
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PMID:Alterations in 8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin-induced neuroendocrine responses after 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-induced denervation of serotonergic neurons. 965 67

The distribution of angiotensin-(1-7) immunoreactive neurons was compared to those of vasopressin-(VP) and oxytocin-(OT) immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the hypothalamus of adult (mRen-2d)27 transgenic hypertensive and Sprague-Dawley rats. In both strains, angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7)-IR cells were found in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), and in the anterior (ap-), medial (mp-), and lateral (lp-) parvocellular, and posterior magnocellular (pm-) subdivisions of the paraventricular (PVN) nucleus. Three-dimensional reconstructions showed that cells immunoreactive to Ang-(1-7) and VP were specifically co-distributed in the SON and in the pmPVN. Double-labeling neurons for both peptides revealed that both Ang-(1-7) and VP were colocalized in a subpopulation of neurons in the pmPVN and SON. In combination with previous studies, our results suggest that Ang-(1-7) and VP are colocalized, co-released and may have a combined action at a common target. In addition, the introduction of the mouse submandibular renin (mRen-2d) transgene into Sprague-Dawley rats does not appear to have altered the fundamental organization of hypothalamic peptide systems involved in fluid homeostasis.
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PMID:Angiotensin-(1-7) immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus of the (mRen-2d)27 transgenic rat. 966 69

Exposure to hostile conditions initiates the secretion of several hormones, including corticosterone/cortisol, catecholamines, prolactin, oxytocin, and renin, as part of the survival mechanism. Such conditions are often referred to as "stressors" and can be divided into three categories: external conditions resulting in pain or discomfort, internal homeostatic disturbances, and learned or associative responses to the perception of impending endangerment, pain, or discomfort ("psychological stress"). The hormones released in response to stressors often are referred to as "stress hormones" and their secretion is regulated by neural circuits impinging on hypothalamic neurons that are the final output toward the pituitary gland and the kidneys. This review discusses the forebrain circuits that mediate the neuroendocrine responses to stressors and emphasizes those neuroendocrine systems that have previously received little attention as stress-sensitive hormones: renin, oxytocin, and prolactin. Anxiolytic drugs of the benzodiazepine class and other drugs that affect catecholamine, GABAA, histamine, and serotonin receptors alter the neuroendocrine stress response. The effects of these drugs are discussed in relation to their effects on forebrain neural circuits that regulate stress hormone secretion. For psychological stressors such as conditioned fear, the neural circuits mediating neuroendocrine responses involve cortical activation of the basolateral amygdala, which in turn activates the central nucleus of the amygdala. The central amygdala then activates hypothalamic neurons directly, indirectly through the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and/or possibly via circuits involving brainstem serotonergic and catecholaminergic neurons. The renin response to psychological stress, in contrast to those of ACTH and prolactin, is not mediated by the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and is not suppressed by benzodiazepine anxiolytics. Stressors that challenge cardiovascular homeostasis, such as hemorrhage, trigger a pattern of neuroendocrine responses that is similar to that observed in response to psychological stressors. These neuroendocrine responses are initiated by afferent signals from cardiovascular receptors which synapse in the medulla oblongata and are relayed either directly or indirectly to hypothalamic neurons controlling ACTH, prolactin, and oxytocin release. In contrast, forebrain pathways may not be essential for the renin response to hemorrhage. Thus current evidence indicates that although a diverse group of stressors initiate similar increases in ACTH, renin, prolactin, and oxytocin, the specific neural circuits and neurotransmitter systems involved in these responses differ for each neuroendocrine system and stressor category.
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PMID:Forebrain pathways mediating stress-induced hormone secretion. 988 35

Recent findings suggest that the ovarian renin-angiotensin system may regulate ovarian function through the paracrine/autocrine actions of angiotensin II (Ang II). In this study, we have examined and characterized the local effects of Ang II as a luteolytic factor and its interaction with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the bovine corpus luteum (CL) of the mid-luteal phase, by using an in vitro microdialysis system (MDS). Ang II was detected in the MDS perfusate (4 pg/ml), and infusion of PGF2alpha (10(-6) M) for 2 h increased the Ang II release by 50-100% during the following experimental period, in addition to its stimulation of ET-1 release. Two 2-h infusions of Ang II (10(-7)-10(-5) M) separated by a 2-h interval induced a dose- and time-dependent decrease of progesterone (P4) release by 41-66%. When the luteal explants were pre-perfused with PGF2alpha (10(-6) M) for 2 h, two consecutive perfusions of Ang II (10(-6) M) at a 2-h interval rapidly reduced the P4 release (by 50%). This reduction occurred 6 h earlier than those of infusions of PGF2alpha or Ang II alone. The simultaneous infusion of either 1) Ang II (10(-6) M) with PGF2alpha (10(-6) M), 2) ET-1 (10(-7) M) with PGF2alpha, or 3) Ang II + ET-1 with PGF2alpha (10(-6) M) for 2 h also induced a rapid and pronounced (60%) decrease in P4 release. Perfusion with the Ang II antagonist blocked the P4-suppressing activity of Ang II alone or PGF2alpha + Ang II infusion. Ang II stimulated the release of ET-1 and oxytocin during infusion but inhibited them after infusion. These results show that Ang II is released in the bovine midcycle CL in vitro, and this peptide, either alone or together with PGF2alpha, can suppress the release of P4. As PGF2alpha directly stimulated Ang II release, Ang II may influence the critical period for starting the cascade of functional luteolysis in vivo and might lead to structural luteolysis with ET-1 as a major vasoconstrictor. The overall results suggest that Ang II may have an important role at luteolysis in the bovine CL.
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PMID:Angiotensin II interacts with prostaglandin F2alpha and endothelin-1 as a local luteolytic factor in the bovine corpus luteum in vitro. 1020 70


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