α-Adrenoceptor number and function in rat cortex after ethanol and immobilization stress

Marina Lynch, John Littleton, Ruth M. McKernan, Michael J. Durcan, Tom McMillan, Iain C. Campbell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

α-Adrenoceptor number and function were assessed in rat cortex after ethanol and immobilization stress. Rats subjected to immobilization stress for 2 h/day/7 days showef a significant reduction in α2-adrenoceptors in cortex ([3H]clonidine binding) but no change in α1-adrenoceptors ([3H]prazosin binding). The inhibitory effect of clonidine (500 nM) on 3H efflux from cortical slices preincubated with [3H]norepinephrine was reversed in the stressed animals. These effects on α2-adrenoceptor number and function were reduced when stress was accompanied by chronic administration of ethanol (35% of calories in a liquid diet) although when given alone ethanol produced small changes in the same direction as those produced by stress. It is suggested that, in its effects on cortical α-adrenoceptors, chronic ethanol administration attenuates the effects of severe stress though itself perhaps acting as a mild stressor when given as part of a liquid diet regimen.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)145-149
Number of pages5
JournalBrain Research
Volume288
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 12 1983

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council and the Bethlem-Maudsley Fund.

Keywords

  • ethanol
  • immobilization stress
  • α-adrenoceptors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology

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