RESERPINE AND CORTICOTROPHIN SECRETION

It has been shown that reserpine counteracts the depressive effect of dexamethasone on adrenal weight and function. These data have been interpreted as indicating that the main effect of reserpine on the hypophysial-adrenal axis is that of enhancing rather than depressing corticotrophin secretion. This might be achieved through the suppression of a midbrain inhibitory action. The blocking of stress reactions induced by reserpine is thought to be a result of the feedback effects of the enhanced blood levels of adrenal steroids, induced by the drug.