Sympathetic nervous system and glioma growth.

C-6 glioma cells possess beta-adrenergic receptors on the cell surface. Activation of beta-adrenergic receptors with beta-adrenergic agonists increases intracellular levels of cAMP and leads to differentiation of C-6 glioma cells in vitro. The present study shows that growth of C-6 glioma tumor in rats with ablated sympathetic nervous system is augmented as compared to controls. Lack of normal noradrenergic stimulation of C-6 glioma cells may lower intracellular cAMP and allow unrestricted growth of this tumor.