Hypothalamic galanin-like immunoreactivity and its gene expression in relation to circulating corticosterone.

The neuropeptide galanin (GAL), which exists in dense concentrations within the hypothalamus, has physiological actions which are neuroendocrine in nature. In light of evidence showing GAL to alter the release of the adrenal steroid, corticosterone (CORT), a possible effect of this steroid on GAL gene expression and peptide production in discrete hypothalamic and brainstem sites was investigated. Using radioimmunoassay and in situ hybridization techniques, this peptide was examined in rats that had received SHAM surgery, adrenalectomy (ADX) and ADX+CORT replacement. The results showed a clear, site-specific change in GAL in relation to circulating CORT. A loss of CORT after ADX caused a dramatic decline in GAL peptide and mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus and peptide levels in the median eminence, with no change occurring in other hypothalamic areas. In the brainstem, a similar change was detected in the dorsal raphe nucleus but not the locus coeruleus. The GAL peptide and mRNA levels in these specific brain areas of ADX rats was restored by CORT replacement, which had no impact on GAL in other brain sites. These findings demonstrate that CORT's impact on brain GAL is highly site specific, possibly determined by local concentrations of steroid receptors.