CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE STIMULATES ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION IN THE ISOLATED PERFUSED RAT ADRENAL-GLAND INSITU

Using the isolated perfused in situ rat adrenal preparation, we have shown a direct stimulatory action of calcitonin gene-related peptide on aldosterone secretion. The threshold dose for this action was 1 pmol, given as a bolus in 200 ul. CGRP also caused vasodilation in the adrenal gland, reflected in increased perfusate flow, and also stimulated corticosterone secretion, with a threshold of 0.1 pmol. Addition of CGRP to incubations of collagenase-dispersed adrenocortical cells had no effect on steroidogenesis. These results support the contention that CGRP, which have been identified in nerve terminals in the zona glomerulosa of the rat adrenal cortex, may have a role in the control of steroid secretion. © 1990.