[Calcitonin, gastrin, parathyroid hormone and the autonomic nervous system]

Stimulation of the beta-adrenergic terminations was employed to determine whether calcitonin-secreting thyroid C cells are derived from the neural crest. Calcitonin secretion was increased, whereas parathormone, insulin and gastrin values were not significantly changed. In addition, administration of a beta-blocking drug before ethanol led to a marked fall in calcitonin with respect to the baseline. Once again, other hormone levels were not affected.