The pharmacodynamic action of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram on prolactin producing rat pituitary adenoma (GH4C1) cells.

Rolipram (4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidone) represents a new class of specific low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. This compound enhances basal, hormone- and forskolin-elicited cAMP accumulation in prolactin (PRL) producing rat pituitary adenoma (GH4C1) cells in culture (ED50 = 5.10(-8) M). This effect is due to a selective inhibition of the low Km cAMP PDE (type III), since neither basal nor hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) nor the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent PDE were affected by rolipram. The drug enhanced vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-stimulated PRL-secretion, while thyroliberin (TRH)- and 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-elicited PRL egress were slightly reduced indicating a cAMP-mediated reduction of protein kinase C (PK-C) mediated PRL release. Interestingly, inhibition of PRL secretion by somatostatin (SRIH) was completely suppressed suggesting cAMP-mediated inactivation of some GTP-binding protein(s) of the alpha i family (G alpha i2 or Gk). Rolipram did not affect phosphoinositide metabolism (i.e. IP3 accumulation), neither acutely nor after long term administration. Rolipram, like the cAMP PDE inhibitor Ro 20-1724, did not influence AC and PDE I, but dose-dependently inhibited PDE III activity. Long term incubation of GH4C1 cells with rolipram in the presence of noradrenaline (NA) exerted a marginal decrease of beta-receptor number, AC activation and cAMP accumulation, while Ro 20-1724 brought about a marked down-regulation and desensitization of the AC complex. In summary, rolipram selectively interacts with PDE III in rat pituitary adenoma cells in culture and does not result in beta-adrenoceptor AC downregulation. These features are not shared by the other drugs tested.