Circadian rhythms of hypothalamic catecholamines and their metabolites and of prolactin and corticosterone circulating hormones were determined over 24 h in group-housed (six per cage; control) and individually housed, 90-day-old male albino rats adapted to a 12:12 light/dark cycle. After 5 weeks of adaptation, in individually housed rats, norepinephrine (NE) turnover increased, since lower NE (p < 0.01) and higher MOPEG metabolite (p < 0.01) levels were measured. As concerns the dopaminergic system, individually housed rats increased both dopamine (DA) synthesis and turnover as revealed by higher DOPAC (p < 0.01) and HVA (p < 0.05) metabolites without modification of DA levels. Moreover, in individually housed rats, corticosterone (p < 0.01) and prolactin (p < 0.05) mean levels were higher than in the control group.
Circadian rhythms of serotonin (5HT), its precursors tryptophan (TP) and 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5HTP) and its acid catabolite 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5HIAA), were determined in the hypothalamus of control rats and rats which had been treated continuously with subcutaneous imipramine (10 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Rats were individually housed and entrained to LD 12:12. Controls showed the 5HT and TP peaks in the light and dark periods respectively, as reported in the literature, but no inverted correlation (antiphase) between 5HT and 5HIAA rhythms. Imipramine significantly modified circadian rhythm characteristics: the 5HT acrophase was advanced, that of TP and 5HIAA was delayed. Imipramine also significantly increased hypothalamic 5HT and TP concentrations.
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