Dissociation of membrane potential and hormone secretion in bovine parathyroid cells

An increase in the calcium ion concentration of the medium from 0.5 to 2.0 mM is associated with a 65% decrease in the secretion of parathyroid hormone from dispersed parathyroid cells. This maneuver also depolarized the cell membrane from -55 to -21 mV as measured by the distribution of [3H]tetraphenylphosphonium ion between cells and medium. An increase in the potassium ion concentration of the medium to 50 mM caused a 67% increase in hormone secretion at 0.5 mM calcium and depolarized the cell to -31 mV. The high potassium did not significantly change hormone secretion or the membrane potential at 2.0 mM calcium. Chlorpromazine inhibited hormone secretion by 40% and depolarized the cell to -30 mV at 0.5 mM calcium in the medium. Chlorpromazine did not change hormone secretion or membrane potential in cells incubated at 2.0 mM calcium. These results suggest that depolarization of the cell by calcium cannot account by itself for the inhibition of hormone secretion and chlorpromazine mimics the effect of an increase in calcium on parathyroid cell function.