Evidence for the direct action of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on amylase secretion from rat pancreatic acini: an assessment using a perifusion system.

We examined the effects of porcine gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on exocrine secretion from dispersed rat pancreatic acini using a perifusion system. GRP stimulated amylase secretion, in a dose-dependent manner in the range of 10(-10)-10(-5) M. The submaximum response was observed at 10(-8) M. Stimulation with 10(-8) M GRP caused a biphasic release of amylase. Amylase secretion by GRP stimulation was not affected by the addition of carbachol, dibutyryl cyclic GMP, or atropine. W-7, a calmodulin antagonist, inhibited the amylase secretion induced by GRP. The addition of isobutylmethylxanthine or secretin increased amylase secretion caused by GRP stimulation. These observations suggest that GRP facilitates enzyme secretion by a direct action on pancreatic acini and not through muscarinic and cholecystokinin receptors. The interaction by the Ca2+-calmodulin complex was suggested.