Biogenic Amines and the Secretion of Parathyroid Hormone and Calcitonin*

Neuroimmunoendocrinology of the cervical autonomic nervous system

“…Pharmacological data support the existence of cholinergic receptors in parathyroid cells (66). Cholinergic agonists decreased PTH release from bovine parathyroid slices, an effect that was antagonized by atropine.…”

“…In exteriorized canine thyroid lobes, perfusion of epinephrine was shown to increase calcitonin release, providing that cc-adrenoceptor effects were blocked by administering the a-blocker phentolamine. A number of pharmacological studies in experimental animals and humans support such a p-stimulatory and oc-inhibitory effect of catecholamines on calcitonin release (66). Both a decrease in maximal calcitonin release and a delay in attaining the maximum were detectable in SCGx rats injected with calcium chloride (67).…”

“…Sympathetic nerve fibers can be traced to the vicinity of thyroid parafollicular C-cells and pharmacological studies have suggested a modulator/ role of circulating catecholamines on calcitonin release by C-cells (55,66). In exteriorized canine thyroid lobes, perfusion of epinephrine was shown to increase calcitonin release, providing that cc-adrenoceptor effects were blocked by administering the a-blocker phentolamine.…”

“…lowed by a decrease in PTH (66). Furthermore, hypocalcemia and/or increases of circulating PTH levels are common findings during stress.…”

“…The systemic administration of cholinergic agonists to rats decreased serum PTH levels, the effect being also blocked by atropine. The administration of atropine alone augmented serum PTH levels, suggesting that a musca-rinic cholinergic tone with an inhibitory effect on PTH release is present in vivo (66). We examined the effects of regional surgical parasympathetic decentralization of parathyroid glands on PTH secretion in rats.…”