Endocrinology
Serotonin is involved in basal and stress-induced regulation of hypothalamus and pituitary gland hormones such as prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), vasopressin and oxytocin, mainly via actions of receptor subtypes 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C. As such, the 5-HT2C receptor is a significant modulator of Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis). The HPA axis is the main controller of acute sympathetic stress responses related to fight-or-flight response. Prolonged activation and disturbances of the HPA axis contribute to depressive and anxiety symptoms seen in many psychopathological conditions.
Stimulation of 5-HT2C receptors leads to increase of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus and proopiomelanocortin in the anterior pituitary lobe. In rats, restraint stress (which can produce depressive symptoms if being chronic) induces secretion of prolactin, ACTH, vasopressin and oxytocin which is partially mediated via 5-HT2C receptor. Responses during such conditions as dehydration or haemorrhage causes the release oxytocin via serotonergic response that is partly mediated via 5-HT2C. In addition, peripheral release of vasopressin involves serotonergic response which is partially mediated via 5-HT2C.
Expression of the 5-HT2C receptor in the CNS is modulated by female sex hormones estradiol and progesterone. Combination of the hormones decrease the receptor concentration in the ventral hippocampus in rats and could thus affect mood.
Read more about this topic: 5-HT2C Receptor