Role of adrenergic agonists on gastric secretion in the rat

Following previous demonstration that isoproterenol stimulated and norepinephrine inhibited gastric acid secretion induced by secretagogues, role of adrenergic agonists was studied by measuring acidity the peptic activity of the effluent of the perfused rat stomach. Response of gastric secretion to isoproterenol was increased by theophylline treatment but was not affected by metiamide treatment. N6, O2'-Dibutyryladenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphoric acid sodium salt monohydride (dibutyryl-c-AMP) stimulated gastric secretion in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest the possibility that the action of isoproterenol in gastric acid secretion is mediated by c-AMP. However, gastric secretion induced by pentagastrin, histamine, or carbamylcholine was not affected by theophylline treatment. N2, O2'-Dibutyrylguanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphoric acid sodium salt (dibutyryl-c-GMP) did not exert any effect on gastric secretion. Depression of pentagastrin-induced gastric secretion by norepinephrine was reversed by EGTA infusion. Moreover, Ca2+, depressed pentagastrin-induced gastric secretion. These results suggest that the action of norepinephrine is closely related to the concentration of Ca2+.