A Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Narcotics, Alcohol and the Barbiturates on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis

Brain Catalase Inhibition Blocks Ethanol‐Related Decrease of Blood Luteinizing Hormone Levels in Mice

“…These decreases are similar to those observed in male rats after the administration of these substances (Cicero and Badger, 1977b;Cicero et al, 1982;Pechnick et al, 1985). Moreover, the results of this study show that brain catalase activity plays a key role in the decrease of blood LH levels observed after an ethanol, but not a morphine or saline, injection.…”

“…Accordingly with this model, the observed LHRH-release inhibition after ethanol administration is primarily due to its ability to stimulate ␤-endorphin secretion from neurons located at the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). This proposal is in accordance with previous reports that have shown a competitive effect between opioid antagonists and ethanol, as well as a suppressive effect of agonists, in the release of LH (Cicero and Badger, 1977b;Cicero et al, 1982;Pechnick et al, 1985). Thus, because previous studies found that catalase has a role in mediating the release of ␤-endorphin from the ARC after ethanol administration and because the release of these neuropeptides is the most probable mechanism through which ethanol alters blood LH levels, the aim of this study was to assess a possible role of brain catalase on this ethanol effect.…”

Chronic ethanol ingestion enhances GnRH-stimulated LH responses of castrated male dogs

“…Chronic alcohol ingestion is associated with marked changes of the hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal axis in men and in rats (Baker et ai, 1976;Van Thiel, Gavaler, Cobb, Sherins & Lester, 1979). Data regarding the specific site or sites of alcohol-induced injury are conflicting and largely inferred from intact men and animals (Cicero & Badger, 1977). Van Thiel & Loriaux (1979) have pointed out that some of the varied results obtained from examining the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of alcoholic men may be explained on the basis of patient selection, i.e.…”

Enkephalins and Endorphins

“…Morphine and methadone both suppress the growth of sex organs (Cicero et al, 1975;. No tolerance to the inhibitory effects of morphine on luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone levels was demonstrated 14 days after the continuous morphine administration (Cicero and Badger, 1977;Morley et al, 1979).…”