Modulation by ouabain and diphenylhydantoin of veratridine-induced 22Na influx and its relation to 45Ca influx and the secretion of catecholamines in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells.

The effects of ouabain and diphenylhydantoin on the secretion of catecholamines induced by veratridine were investigated in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells with special reference to ion fluxes. Veratridine itself induced an influx of 22Na and 45Ca as well as secretion of catecholamines, which were antagonized by tetrodotoxin, a selective inhibitor of voltage dependent Na channels. The secretion of catecholamines caused by veratridine was not observed either in Na free or Ca free medium. Veratridine-induced influx of 45Ca did not occur in Na free medium, while veratridine-induced influx of 22Na occurred even in Ca free medium. Veratridine-induced influx of 22Na, 45Ca and secretion of catecholamines were all potentiated by ouabain, a potent inhibitor of Na,K-ATPase. Omission of K from the medium, a condition which suppresses the Na,K-ATPase activity, also augmented these cell responses caused by veratridine. On the contrary, diphenylhydantoin, which is known to decrease the intracellular concentration of Na, reduced the veratridine-induced influx of 22Na, 45Ca and secretion of catecholamines. The potentiating effects of ouabain on the veratridine-induced cell responses were all abolished by diphenylhydantoin. These findings imply that veratridine, ouabain and K removal as well as diphenylhydantoin modulate the intracellular accumulation of 22Na which is involved in the influx of 45Ca and the secretion of catecholamines.