title: Alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of in vitro growth hormone release and cytosolic free Ca2+ in rat somatotrophs.
abstract: The effects of alpha 1-adrenergic agents on GH release and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were investigated in purified rat somatotroph preparations. Phenylephrine (PHE) stimulated in vitro GH release; the maximal effect (2.5-fold stimulation) occurred at 1 microM PHE. The effect was completely blocked by the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine and partially counteracted by the beta-antagonist propranolol. Experiments with the fluorescent Ca2+ probe fura 2 show that PHE causes [Ca2+]i to rise from 178 +/- 31 nM (mean +/- SE; n = 25) to 370 +/- 55 nM (n = 9). This effect was complete within 20 sec and was maintained for at least 5-10 min. The rise was rapidly interrupted by administration of 1 microM phentolamine. The beta-receptor agonist isoproterenol caused a small [Ca2+]i rise due to action on alpha 1-adrenoreceptors. The PHE-induced [Ca2+]i rise showed two components: an initial peak due to Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores and a subsequent rise due to Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space. Somatostatin (SRIF) lowered both resting [Ca2+]i and Ca2+ influx stimulated by PHE. Pertussis toxin pretreatment did not modify PHE-induced [Ca2+]i changes, while it completely prevented the effect of SRIF on both resting and triggered [Ca2+]i, thus suggesting that a GTP-binding protein sensitive to the toxin is involved in the transduction of SRIF action. The increase in cAMP induced by cholera toxin pretreatment modified neither PHE nor SRIF action on [Ca2+]i. In conclusion, in rat somatotrophs Ca2+ mobilization and influx are stimulated by alpha 1-adrenergic agents, and this triggered [Ca2+]i rise results in a stimulation of GH release. In these cells SRIF is able to reduce both resting [Ca2+]i levels and [Ca2+]i increases induced by alpha 1-adrenergic activation.
mesh_terms: D000246:Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D010656:Phenylephrine; D000246:Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose; D013004:Somatostatin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D011433:Propranolol; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D007545:Isoproterenol; D002118:Calcium; D010646:Phentolamine