Release of [Leu5]enkephalin immunoreactivity from the isolated perfused rat stomach

The release of [Leu5]enkephalin immunoreactivity ([Leu5]enk-IR) from the isolated perfused rat stomach was demonstrated under basal conditions in the presence of peptidase inhibitors (0.1 microM thiorphan, 1 microM captopril and 2 microM bestatin). Depolarization with 50 mM KCl resulted in a four-fold increase in both [Leu5]enk-IR and gastrin (IR-gastrin) levels. Administration of the nicotinic agonist, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium (DMPP) (10 microM) stimulated the release of [Leu5]enk-IR in a calcium-dependent manner. The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist methacholine (10 microM) had no effect on [Leu5]enk-IR release.