The effect of supramaximal electric field stimulation on [3H]noradrenaline (NA) release and hormone production by rat adrenal capsule-glomerulosa preparations was studied using a microvolume perfusion system. A substantial proportion (about 20%) of nerve endings (varicosities) were observed close to zona glomerulosa cells, and about half of them appeared to be catecholaminergic, as judged by the chromaffin reaction of the synaptic vesicles studied at electron microscopic level. In tissue, preloaded with [3H]NA, the release of NA in response to electrical stimulation was frequency-dependent. Reserpinization, calcium removal or inhibition of Na+ influx by tetrodotoxin completely blocked NA release by field stimulation, indicating that the release resulted from axonal activity and is of vesicular origin. Neither the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist xylazine nor the muscarine-receptor agonist oxotremorine affected the stimulation-evoked release of [3H]NA, suggesting that, in contrast with other neurones present in the central nervous system or in the peripheral autonomic nervous system but like those in the median eminence, these axon terminals contained few presynaptic modulatory receptors. The NA (10.20 +/- 1.79 (S.E.M.) micrograms/g, n = 9), adrenaline (24.38 +/- 5.50 micrograms/g, n = 9) and dopamine (0.35 +/- 0.09 micrograms/g, n = 6) contents of the preparations were high, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Our observations that the release and content of NA is high, and that a substantial proportion of catecholaminergic axon terminals lie in close proximity to zona glomerulosa cells (median value of the distance 300 nm) or to smooth muscle cells of the vessels, suggest that NA released from local adrenergic neurones without being presynaptically modulated may play an important role in fine-tuning both steroid production and/or blood flow through the gland, itself a powerful modulator of the adrenocortical response. This local modulating effect of NA may be especially significant when sympathetic activity is enhanced.

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Both [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) and ATP were released in response to supramaximal electric field stimulation in superfused rat adrenal capsule-glomerulosa preparations. The voltage-dependent potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine enhanced, while the ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker glibenclamide failed to affect the stimulation-evoked release of [3H]NA. The selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist CH-38083 enhanced the evoked release of [3H]NA while the P2 receptor agonist ATP and alpha, beta-methylene-ATP failed to affect it. Neither the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyl-adenosine (CPA) nor the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) influenced the stimulation-evoked [3H]NA release. The data showed that ATP was released from capsule-glomerulosa preparations in response to field stimulation together with but independently from [3H]NA, and that the local noradrenergic varicose axon terminals are not equipped with purinoceptors sensitive to ATP and/or adenosine. High concentrations of ATP also stimulated steroid hormone secretion in vitro, and thus may have a physiological role in this tissue. The presence of ecto-Ca(2+)-ATPases, enzymes able to terminate the effect of ATP, was demonstrated around the nerve profiles at the border of the capsule and zona glomerulosa tissue.

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