Angiotensin II increases cytosolic calcium and stimulates catecholamine release in cultured bovine adrenomedullary cells.

In bovine adrenomedullary cells in primary culture, angiotensin II (AII) elicited virtually immediate, dose-related increments in cytosolic calcium [( Ca++]i) measured by the Quin 2 technique and stimulated approximately proportional secretion of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine measured by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Peak responses of [Ca++]i to AII were similar to peak responses to nicotine or KCl. Pre-treatment with verapamil or washing the cells in calcium-free medium attenuated the stimulatory effect of AII on [Ca++]i. Pre-treatment with nicotine, which temporarily inactivates cholinergic receptor-activated calcium channels, did not affect [Ca++]i responses to AII. The results indicate functional effects of AII on cultured chromaffin cells. The mechanism of cellular activation by AII appears to include increases in [Ca++]i due to opening of membrane calcium channels which may be unrelated to cholinergic receptor-operated calcium channels.