Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society
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Neurogastroenterol. Motil. · Mar 2012
Peripheral α-helical CRF (9-41) does not reverse stress-induced mast cell dependent visceral hypersensitivity in maternally separated rats.
Acute stress-induced hypersensitivity to colorectal distention was shown to depend on corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-induced mast cell degranulation. At present it remains unclear whether CRF also induces chronic poststress activation of these cells. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to compare pre- and poststress CRF-receptor antagonist treatment protocols for their ability to, respectively, prevent and reverse mast cell dependent visceral hypersensitivity in a rat model of neonatal maternal separation. ⋯ Water avoidance-stress leads to persistent mast cell dependent visceral hypersensitivity in maternally separated rats, which can be prevented, but not reversed by blockade of peripheral CRF-receptors. We conclude that persistent poststress mast cell activation and subsequent visceral hypersensitivity are not targeted by CRF-receptor antagonists.