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Calcium channel drugs affect nocturnal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity in rat pineal gland

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Summary

The effects of different organic compounds that block and increase Ca2+ influx through the voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) on the nocturnal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity was investigated in vivo in rats. Systemic administration of VSCC antagonists, i.e. nimodipine, nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem, resulted in a marked suppression of the nighttime pineal NAT activity. Bay K 8644, a VSCC agonist, injected to rats before the time of the light offset of the light-dark cycle significantly enhanced the nocturnal increase of the pineal NAT activity. Although Bay K 8644 given during the dark phase of an imposed illumination cycle had little effect on the nocturnal pineal NAT activity, it antagonized the nimodipine- and verapamil-induced decrease in the enzyme activity. These results support the role of Ca2+ influx through the VSCC in the nocturnal increase of NAT activity in the pineal gland of rat.

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Author notes

  1. J. Z. Nowak

    Present address: Department of Biogenic Amines, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodz, Poland

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  1. Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical Academy, Lodz, Poland

    J. B. Zawilska

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  1. J. B. Zawilska
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  2. J. Z. Nowak
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Zawilska, J.B., Nowak, J.Z. Calcium channel drugs affect nocturnal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity in rat pineal gland. J. Neural Transmission 84, 171–182 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01244968

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01244968

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