Lithium chloride stimulates catecholamine synthesis and secretion in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells.

We examined the effects of lithium treatment on the synthesis and secretion of catecholamines in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells. The treatment of cells with lithium (0.5-4 mmol/L) for 7 days caused an increase in basal and carbachol-stimulated synthesis of 14C-catecholamines from [14C]-tyrosine but not from [14C]-DOPA. Lithium treatment (4 mmol/L, 7 days) increased the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase in the cells. Lithium treatment (2-4 mmol/L, 7 days) also enhanced the secretion of catecholamines caused by carbachol, although the carbachol-induced influx of 45Ca2+ was reduced. Lithium (4 mmol/L, 7 days) potentiated the secretion of catecholamines evoked by the Ca2+ (1 mumol/L) from cells that were permeabilized by digitonin. The activity of protein kinase C in a soluble fraction was increased in lithium-treated cells (4 mmol/L, 7 days). These results demonstrate that lithium treatment increases the synthesis and secretion of catecholamines and the activity of protein kinase C in cultured adrenal medullary cells.