Ionomycin stimulates secretion of catecholamines from cat adrenal gland and spleen

Ionomycin, a polyether antibiotic, stimulated the secretion of catecholamines and dopamine beta-hydroxylase from perfused adrenal glands and [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE) from spleens of the cat. Release was calcium dependent, and strontium or barium did not substitute for calcium. Ionomycin failed to release [3H]NE from reserpinized spleens. High magnesium did not interfere in the ionomycin response, but lanthanum and manganese blocked it. Ionomycin response that was pH dependent was not affected by potassium depolarization. The secretory response to ionomycin was enhanced when both glycolysis and oxidative metabolism were inhibited. It is concluded that ionomycin introduces calcium into the chromaffin cells and adrenergic nerve terminals to cause the secretory response and that a rise in intracellular calcium may be an adequate stimulus for secretion.