Effects of glucagon and vasopressin on hepatic Ca2+ release.

The effects of physiological levels of glucagon on Ca2+ efflux were examined in the perfused rat liver. Two methods were used to estimate Ca2+ efflux: prior labeling of the calcium pools with 45Ca2+ and measurement of perfusate Ca2+ with atomic absorption. According to both methods, glucagon administration at the physiological level evoked Ca2+ release. The released Ca2+ originated mostly from a carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP)-depletable pool and also from an FCCP-insensitive pool from which Ca2+ could be released with A23187. Maximally effective doses of glucagon and vasopressin had no additive effect on Ca2+ release. Prior administration of vasopressin resulted in markedly reduced Ca2+ release by glucagon. These results indicate that glucagon releases Ca2+ from the same pool that vasopressin does.