Acute reserpine treatment alters the catecholamine, glucocorticoid and opioid response to walking exercise in sheep

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of reserpine on the plasma levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol and alpha-neoendorphin in she ep under control conditions and during walking exercise. One hour of walkin g (5 km/h) caused a significant increase in both catecholamines and cortiso l between 10 and 30 min of stress, and transiently decreased the level of a lpha-neoendorphin at the same time. Reserpine at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg i.v. given before stress significantly lowered the basal levels of all tested p arameters. A combination of the reserpine and walking exercise significantl y attenuated the stress-induced changes in the plasma level of measured hor mones.