EFFECT OF PHENCYCLIDINE ON PLASMA-CORTICOSTERONE IN MICE

Phenylcyclidine [PCP] produced a dose-dependent increase in plasma corticosterone when administered to ovariectomized C57BL/6J mice. This effect was blocked by pretreatment with dexamethasone. The plasma corticosterone concentration after PCP remained elevated after the concentration of PCP observed in plasma and brain tissue began to decline. A stress-like hormonal effect of PCP in mice was demonstrated which appeared to be a result of an action of PCP at the pituitary, hypothalamus or higher CNS level.