Neuropeptide Y increases the corticotropin-releasing factor messenger ribonucleic acid level in the rat hypothalamus.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has a stimulatory effect on adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) release. In the present study, to investigate the effect of NPY on CRF synthesis, the effect of centrally administered NPY on CRF messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in rat hypothalamus was examined under pentobarbital anesthesia. The administration of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 nmol of NPY into the lateral ventricle dose-dependently Increased the plasma ACTH levels, as well as the levels of proopiomelanocortin mRNA in the anterior pituitary. The CRF mRNA level in the hypothalamus also increased after administration of 0.1 and 1 nmol of NPY in a dose-dependent manner. The administration of 3 nmol of phentolamine or propranolol failed to block 0.1 nmol NPY-induced ACTH release or 1 nmol NPY-stimulated CRF mRNA levels in the hypothalamus. These results Indicate that the central administration of NPY increases the CRF mRNA levels in the hypothalamus and the probable CRF release, which increases the proopiomelanocortin mRNA levels and ACTH secretion in the anterior pituitary. Therefore, NPY seems to play a physiological role in the regulation of the release and synthesis of CRF in the hypothalamus.