The Contribution of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor to Gastroprotection

Abstract

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a key neurohormone that triggers the response to stress via stimulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system. CRF provides its action through CRF receptors of the first and second types (CRF-1 and CRF-2 receptors) and coordinates the endocrine, autonomic, behavioral, and visceral components of the stress response. This review analyzes the data on the gastroprotective effect of CRF and the mechanisms that underlie this physiological effect. The results of the analysis of the experimental data obtained in our studies suggest that glucocorticoids and CRF-1 receptors, as well as CRF-2 receptors, may be involved in the gastroprotective action of CRF. The presented data suggest that activation of the HPA axis is a gastroprotective component of the stress response.