Identification of immunoreactive somatostatin in the rat Harderian gland: Regulation of its content by growth hormone, beta-adrenergic agonists and calcium channel blockers

M. Puig-Domingo, J. M. Guerrero, R. J. Reiter, M. A. Peinado, I. Sabry, M. Viader, S. M. Webb

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immunoreactive somatostatin (IRS) was identified in the male rat Harderian gland (HG) by radioimmunoassay. Tissue was extracted and a displacement curve performed; there were no significant differences between values obtained with serial dilutions of extracted tissue and those from purified somatostatin standard used in the radioimmunoassay. Basal values of HG-IRS were found to be in the nanomolar range (10.8±3.5 ng IRS/mg protein). Hypophysectomy did not change the HG-IRS but, in vivo growth hormone (GH) treatment led to a dramatic increase (6-7-fold) in the levels of IRS in the HG. Isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic agonist, when administered in vivo significantly decreased the HG-IRS content. The effect of two different calcium channel blockers on the isoproterenol-induced decrease of HG-IRS was studied; no changes were observed with nifedipine but verapamil, injected one hour after isoproterenol administration, prevented the drop in HG-IRS levels. These data demonstrate the existence of IRS in a new location, the rat Harderian gland, and support a classical endocrine regulation for its tissue concentration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)571-574
Number of pages4
JournalPeptides
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988

Keywords

  • Beta-adrenergic agonists
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Growth hormone
  • Harderian gland
  • Somatostatin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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