Dose-related dual action of corticosterone on hypothalamic serotonin content in rats.

The effect of corticosterone administered in different doses has been studied on hypothalamic serotonin (5-HT) content. A single intraperitoneal injection of the hormone in doses of 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg bw. increased the serotonin content of the hypothalamus at 30 min after administration. Five mg/kg had no effect, while 10.0 mg/kg decreased the serotonin content. The data provide an explanation for the controversial findings of different authors having used different doses of different glucocorticoids and on the basis of the results it is emphasized that the action of glucocorticoids on hypothalamic 5-HT content is a dose-dependent dual effect.