NALOXONE-INDUCED ACTH RELEASE IN MAN IS INHIBITED BY CLONIDINE |
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Authors: | Richard V. Jackson Jeffrey E. Grice A. Jane Jackson Gregory I. Hockings |
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Affiliation: | Neuroendocrine Research Unit, University Department of Medicine, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. |
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Abstract: | 1. Adrenergic mechanisms play an important role in regulation of ACTH release. We used the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, clonidine, as a central nervous system inhibitor of ACTH release to see if it would alter naloxone-induced ACTH secretion in normal human volunteers. 2. There was a significant blunting of the mean peak level of ACTH and the mean peak change of ACTH from basal as well as the area under the ACTH-time curve when clonidine was given prior to naloxone. 3. We conclude that clonidine, by blocking central noradrenergic pathways, which stimulate corticotropin-releasing hormone secretion, inhibits naloxone-induced ACTH secretion. This suggests that naloxone causes ACTH release through these same central noradrenergic pathways. |
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Keywords: | adrenocorticotropin clonidine corticotropin-releasing hormone cortisol hypothalamus man naloxone noradrenergic opioid pituitary |
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