METABOLIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SECRETION FROM ADRENAL MEDULLA

Secretion of catecholamines evoked by acetylcholine from isolated perfused bovine adrenal glands was completely inhibited when cyanide and iodoacetate were both present in the perfusion medium at a concentration of 1 mM. Neither cyanide nor iodoacetate by themselves prevented secretion. However, when the gland was first perfused with iodoacetate, then cyanide did block secretion. The contribution of cyanide to the inhibitory effect was reversible but that of iodoacetate was not. These studies indicate that a metabolic source of energy is required either for the secretory process itself or to maintain the cell in a functional state. © 1969.