Reinvestigation of the effect of orexin A on catecholamine release from adrenal chromaffin cells

Orexins have been shown to be implicated in the regulation of adrenal medulla functions. However, there are still inconsistent investigations on the effects of orexins on catecholamine release from chromaffin cells in varying species. In the present study, using the carbon-fiber amperometry, we investigated whether orexin A would stimulate catecholamine release from rat and mouse adrenal chromffin cells. Puff application of orexin A dose-dependently induced amperometric currents in the cultured rat chromaffin cells, which was completely blocked by the selective OX1R antagonist SB-334867 or by the removal of extracellular calcium. Likewise, in the mouse adrenal medulla slices, orexin A also induced catecholamine release mainly through the activation of OX1R. These results gain insight into our understanding of the pharmacological relevance of orexin system in modulating neuroendocrine functions.