Transport of crh from mouse brain directly affects peripheral
production of [beta]-endorphin by the spleen.
Martins, J. Martin, William A. Banks, and Abba J. Kastin.
Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Tulane University School of
Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70146
APStracts 4:0182E, 1997.
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates the passage of substances
between the brain and the periphery. It has not been shown that the
secretion from the brain of a small amount of a substance can
directly affect the periphery by transport across the BBB.
We found that central injection of a radioactively labeled
corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) resulted in the accumulation of
intact CRH in the spleen. CRH also increased splenic [beta]
-endorphin, an effect not blocked by pretreatment with dexamethasone.
Inhibition of the secretion of CRH from the brain by colchicine
resulted in decreased accumulation of CRH in the spleen and also
decreased splenic [beta]-endorphin. Similar findings occurred in the
pituitary gland. The results show that the secretion of labeled CRH
from the brain can directly affect a peripheral organ, thus
emphasizing the regulatory function of the BBB.
Received 20 March 1997; accepted in final form 8 August 1997.
APS Manuscript Number E127-7.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Endocrinol. Metab.).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1997 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 27 August 1997