Cited by 485Circadian rhythm and melatoninStress Responses and CortisolNeuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Anatomical and functional demonstration of a multisynaptic suprachiasmatic nucleus adrenal (cortex) pathway

Buijs, Ruud M., Wortel, Joke, Van Heerikhuize, Joop J., Feenstra, Matthijs G. P., Ter Horst, Gert J., Romijn, Herms J., Kalsbeek, Andries·1999·European Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

In view of mounting evidence that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is directly involved in the setting of sensitivity of the adrenal cortex to ACTH, the present study investigated possible anatomical and functional connections between SCN and adrenal. Transneuronal virus tracing from the adrenal revealed first order labelling in neurons in the intermedio-lateral column of the spinal cord that were shown to receive an input from oxytocin fibres and subsequently second-order labelling in neurons of the autonomic division of the paraventricular nucleus. The latter neurons were shown to receive an input from vasopressin or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) containing SCN efferents. The true character of this SCN input to second-order neurons was also demonstrated by the fact that third-order labelling was present within the SCN, vasopressin or VIP neurons. The functional presence of the SCN-adrenal connection was demonstrated by a light-induced fast decrease in plasma corticosterone that could not be attributed to a decrease in ACTH. Using intact and SCN-lesioned animals, the immediate decrease in plasma corticosterone was only observed in intact animals and only at the beginning of the dark period. This fast decrease of corticosterone was accompanied by constant basal levels of blood adrenaline and noradrenaline, and is proposed to be due to a direct inhibition of the neuronal output to the adrenal cortex by light-mediated activation of SCN neurons. As a consequence, it is proposed that the SCN utilizes neuronal pathways to spread its time of the day message, not only to the pineal, but also to other organs, including the adrenal, utilizing the autonomic nervous system.

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Crossref · 10.1046/j.1460-9568.1999.00575.x

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Authors
Buijs, R. M., Wortel, J., Van Heerikhuize, J. J., Feenstra, M. G. P., Ter Horst, G. J., Romijn, H. J., & Kalsbeek, A.
Affiliations
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (NL)
Venue
European Journal of Neuroscience
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1999-05
Volume
11
Issue
5
Pages
1535-1544
ISSN
  • 0953-816X (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-9568
OpenAlex
W2088459975
Cited by
485
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 22
FWCI
7.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • European Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
Keywords
suprachiasmatic nucleus, adrenal cortex, corticosterone, ACTH, oxytocin, vasopressin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, paraventricular nucleus, circadian rhythm, autonomic nervous system, SCN lesions
MeSH terms
Adrenal Cortex, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Animals, Circadian Rhythm, Corticosterone, Darkness, Denervation, Epinephrine, Lighting, Male, Melatonin, Neural Pathways, Norepinephrine, Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus, Photic Stimulation, Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, Synapses, Rats, Wistar, Rats

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