CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR (CRF): CENTRAL EFFECTS ON MEAN ARTERIAL PRESSURE AND HEART RATE IN RATS.

Abstract

Intracerebroventricular administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) produces elevations in mean arterial pressure and heart rate in conscious freely-moving rats. Pretreatment with the ganglionic blocker, chlorisondamine, completely prevents the CRF-induced cardiovascular changes. These results suggest that CRF acts within the brain to stimulate sympathetic nervous activity which in turn influences cardiovascular function.