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The firing frequency of spontaneous action potentials and their corresponding evoked exocytosis are increased in chromaffin cells of CC l 4 ‐induced cirrhotic rats with respect to control rats
Author(s) -
SanzLázaro Sara,
JiménezPompa Amanda,
CarmonaHidalgo Beatriz,
Ubeda María,
Muñoz Leticia,
CabaGonzález Jose Carlos,
HernándezVivanco Alicia,
LópezGarcía Sarai,
Albillos Agustín,
Albillos Almudena
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/jnc.14618
Subject(s) - exocytosis , depolarization , endocrinology , medicine , chromaffin cell , amperometry , catecholamine , neurotransmitter , chemistry , electrophysiology , acetylcholine , adrenal medulla , secretion , biology , central nervous system , electrode , electrochemistry
High catecolamine plasma levels because of sympathetic nervous system over‐activity contribute to cirrhosis progression. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland might potentiate the deleterious effect exerted by this over‐activity. Electrophysiological patch‐clamp and amperometric experiments with carbon‐fibre electrodes were conducted in single chromaffin cells of control and CC l 4 ‐induced cirrhotic rats. The spontaneous action potential firing frequency was increased in chromaffin cells of cirrhotic rats with respect to control rats. The exocytosis evoked by that firing was also increased. However, exocytosis elicited by AC h did not vary between control and cirrhotic rats. Exocytosis triggered by depolarizing pulses was also unchanged. Amperometric recordings confirmed the lack of increased catecholamine charge released in cirrhosis after AC h or depolarization stimuli. However, the amperometric spikes exhibited faster kinetics of release. The overall Ca 2+ entry through voltage‐dependent Ca 2+ channels ( VDCC ), or in particular through Cav1 channels, did not vary between chromaffin cells of control and cirrhotic rats. The inhibition of VDCC by methionine‐enkephaline or ATP was not either altered, but it was increased by adrenaline in cells of cirrhotic rats. When a cocktail composed by the three neurotransmitters was tested in order to approach a situation closer to the physiological condition, the inhibition of VDCC was similar between both types of cells. In summary, chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland might contribute to exacerbate the sympathetic nervous system over‐activity in cirrhosis because of an increased exocytosis elicited by an enhanced spontaneous electrical activity.