POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF NITRIC-OXIDE IN ACETYLCHOLINE-INDUCED INCREASE OF INTRACELLULAR CA2+ CONCENTRATION AND CATECHOLAMINE RELEASE IN BOVINE ADRENAL CHROMAFFIN CELLS
The role of nitric oxide (NO) in neurotransmitter release was studied using bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. L-Arginine and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) slightly increased the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+](i)), and the effects of the agents were dependent on the presence of the extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+](o)), but were not blocked by verapamil (30 mu M) or diltiazem (30 mu M). SNP enhanced the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced rise in [Ca2+](i) in the presence but not in the absence of [Ca2+](o). The effects of L-arginine but not those of SNP were inhibited by N-omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). L-NNA significantly reduced the ACh-induced rise in [Ca2+](i) and catecholamine (CA) release, and the reduction was restored by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. These results suggest a possible involvement of NO in ACh-induced [Ca2+](i) rise and CA release in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.