[Effects of ethanol on pepsinogen release from isolated guinea pig gastric chief cells]

The effects of ethanol on pepsinogen release from isolated guinea pig gastric chief cells were investigated. Ethanol, at concentrations of 300 mM to 900 mM, dose-dependently stimulated increases in pepsinogen release, initial Ca influx rate and intracellular free Ca concentration ([Ca2+]i) without affecting chief cells' viability. The increases in all parameters were inhibited by La3+ or EGTA, but not by nifedipine or verapamil. COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK8) also stimulated increases in pepsinogen release, initial Ca influx rate and [Ca2+]i. However, the increases were dependent on not only extracellular Ca2+ but also intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. These results suggest that ethanol stimulates Ca2+ influx via the mechanism different from that of CCK8 and thereby stimulates pepsinogen release from isolated guinea pig gastric chief cells.