Regional dissociation of histidyl--proline diketopiperazine (cyclo-(His--Pro)) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in the rat brain.

The concentration of cyclo-(His--Pro) and its precursor, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were measured in seven different areas of rat brain using specific radioimmunoassays. Although the concentration of both of these peptides was highest in the hypothalamus, their distribution patterns in all other loci of the brain were dissimilar. These results suggest that factors in addition to TRH concentrations are important in determining the unique concentration pattern of cyclo-(His--Pro) in the brain.