Control of pineal indole biosynthesis by changes in sympathetic tone caused by factors other than environmental lighting.

The melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetylserotonin) content and N-acetyltransferase activity of rat pineal increase rapidly in response to physical immobilization or insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Carbohydrate consumption, which causes insulin release without hypoglycemia, does not elicit these pineal responses. Prior treatment with propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, inhibits the N-acetyltransferase responses to hypoglycemia and immobilization, indicating that these changes result from stimulation of pineal beta-receptors by a catecholamine, presumably norepinephrine released from pineal sympathetic nerve terminals. Prior destruction of those terminals with 6-hydroxydopamine does not block, but actually potentiates, the increase in melatonin content and N-acetyltransferase activity after induced hypoglycemia or immobilization. This finding probably reflects an action of circulating catecholamines, secreted from the adrenal medullae or surviving sympathetic nerve terminals, on supersensitive pineal cells. These observations indicate that factors other than changes in environmental lighting, which modify sympathetic nervous tone, can also influence pineal function.