Effects of nicotine on content of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in rat amygdala, hypothalamus and brain stem

Effects of 1.0 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg intraperitoneal nicotine on hypothalamic and extra hypothalamic levels of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) were examined in 104 rats. CRF, a 41-amino acid peptide involved in responses to stress, fear and anxiety, influences the same neurotransmitter systems as nicotine, a psychoactive component of tobacco. Radioimmunoassays revealed that in macro-dissected hypothalami, 15 minutes treatment with 1.0 mg/kg nicotine significantly increased CRF content compared to no treatment. The 1.0 mg/kg dose did not elicit effects in macro-dissected amygdala and brain stem. With 0.4 mg/kg nicotine, no significant effects were observed in micro-dissected hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, amygdaloid and brain stem nuclei. As expected, plasma corticosterone levels were significantly increased with both doses of nicotine. Overall, no clear cut effects of nicotine on CRF were observed. Micro-dissection studies on specific nuclei using varying doses and time points would help elucidate interactions of nicotine with CRF systems.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience

Year dc:date.available

1999

Author dc:creator

• Masilela, Sibonisiwe Ntini

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dale L. Birkle.

• Pharmacology
• Neurosciences
• Behavioral psychology

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/952

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1955