Abstract

The effects of several cyclic nucleotide analogs and of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on the release of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity (DBH) by electrical stimulation were studied in the isolated, perfused cat spleen. N-6-butyryl-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (mbcAMP), 8-methylthio-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate, 8-bromo-3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) and two potent phosphodiesterase inhibitors: 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine and 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxy-benzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Ro 20-1724) enhanced the overflow of NE and total H and reduced pressure responses elicited by nerve stimulation. A concomitant outflow of DBH activity was observed in the presence of mbcAMP, 8-Br-cGMP or Ro 20-1724. Synergistic effects on the nerve stimulation-mediated overflow of NE and DBH were obtained with low concentratons of Ro 20-1724 and mbcAMP (5 muM). Adenosine 5'-monophosphate produced a very slight increase in nerve stimulated release of NE and DBH activity in concentrations which inhibited pressor responses considerably. cAMP produced slight inhibition of pressure responses but failed to influence the release of either NE or DBH activity during nerve stimulation. In contrast to the enhanced overflow of NE and DBH activity induced by nerve stimulation, with the exception of Ro 20-1724, the spontaneous release of these substances was not modified by any of the cyclic nucleotide analogs or phosphodiesterase inhibitors examined. This effect of Ro 20-1724 can probably be explained by the ability of this compound to inhibit the activity of monoamine oxidase and therefore reduce the formation of deaminated metabolites. The present results suggest that cyclic nucleotides are not directly responsible for the release of the adrenergic neurotransmitter, but may facilitate the normal process of release by nerve stimulation. Phentolamine, a blocker of the alpha adrenergic receptors, produced a marked increase in the nerve stimulation-mediated overflow of NE, total H and DBH activity and inhibited pressure responses. This effect was several times greater than that produced by either cyclic nucleotide analogs or phosphodiesterase inhibitors. In addition, the effect of phentolamine was not modified by prior treatment with 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine or Ro 20-1724, suggesting that the effect of phentolamine is not related to its ability to inhibit phosphodiesterase and is probably not mediated via an increase in cAMP.