Effects of alcohol on the synthesis and expression of hypothalamic peptides

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1999

Authors

Madeira, MD (Author) FMUP; Paula Barbosa, MM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Brain Research Bulletin

Vol. 48

Pages: 3-22

ISSN: 0361-9230

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 52 Citations

Scopus - 50 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-5DP

DOI: 10.1016/s0361-9230(98)00131-2

Abstract (EN): Studies aimed at analyzing the deleterious effects of excess alcohol in the brain have revealed structural alterations that are often associated with functional and behavioral disturbances. Among the neuronal damage related to prolonged alcohol exposure, alterations in the synthesizing capabilities and levels of expression of neuroactive peptides have been increasingly reported. Actually, such changes frequently represent the sole repercussion of acute and short-term exposure to ethanol. This review gathers the existing data on the effects of ethanol exposure on the synthesis and expression of hypothalamic peptides. Amid those that can act both as neurotransmitters and neurohormones, we allude to vasopressin, corticotropin-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and pro-opiomelanocortin and related peptides produced by paraventricular, supraoptic and arcuate neurons. With respect to peptides that act exclusively as neurotransmitters, we address the effects of alcohol on vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, gastrin-releasing peptide, somatostatin and vasopressin synthesized by suprachiasmatic neurons. Hypothalamic neurons that produce peptides that act as neurotransmitters are supposed to be modulated primarily by influences exerted by neuronal afferents, whereas those producing peptides that additionally act as neurohormones are also regulated by peripheral stimuli (e.g., plasma levels of circulating hormones, osmotic challenges). These peculiar features endue the hypothalamus with characteristics that are particularly propitious to enlighten the still cryptic mechanisms underlying the ethanol effects on protein synthesis. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 20