Potassium modulation of corticosterone secretion from perifused mouse adrenal cells

Linda M. Robertson, L. Donald Keith, John W. Kendall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Potassium has long been recognized as a significant modulator of aldosterone synthesis and secretion. Its role as a regulator of glucocorticoids is less clear. Using a perifusion of dispersed mouse adrenal cells, we found a dose-related effect of extracellular potassium (K+) on secretion of the major rodent glucocorticoid, corticosterone. The maximal elicitable response was 33% of the maximal response to ACTH. An increase in K+ concentration enhanced the effect of ACTH, while K+-free medium depressed the response to ACTH. The temporal characteristics of the corticosterone response to K+ were similar to that of ACTH and consistent with a primary effect on biosynthesis rather than on discharge of a preformed pool of hormone. The results indicate that a significant ion-mediated mechanism modulates ACTH-stimulated glucocorticoid secretion and suggest that further studies of endogenous substances operative by ionic mechanisms might be warranted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)703-709
Number of pages7
JournalMetabolism
Volume33
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1984

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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