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In a well-defined in vitro perifusion system, the effects of extracellular magnesium concentration (Mg) on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion by bovine parathyroid tissue were examined. At Mg less than 0.8 mM, the ability of the glands to secrete hormone maximally in response to low calcium (Ca) stimulation was progressively impaired. Low Mg also impaired the ability of isoproterenol, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline to stimulate hormone release. The defect in hormone release at low Mg observed in vitro was analogous to the well-documented inhibition of secretion observed in vivo. Increases in Mg from 0 to 0.8 mM rapidly repaired the defect in hormone secretion. At Mg above 1.0 mM there was a Ca-like effect on hormone release, with a progressive decrease in secretion at increased Mg. Although its mechanism is not yet clear, the low Mg effect appears to impair principally the process of hormone release rather than its biosynthesis or storage.

An in vitro perifusion system was used to study parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion in response to calcium (Ca) and beta-adrenergic agents. Perifused parathyroid tissue responded to changes in Ca within the physiologic range during experiments up to 5 h. There was rapid secretory stimulation after exposure to low Ca, with the maximum response being observed at 20 min. Normal bovine glands showed a Ca-independent nonsuppressible component of PTH release at concentrations of Ca above physiologic. 1-isoproterenol produced rapid stimulation of PTH release, the response being blocked by a beta antagonist. The maximum secretory response to either low Ca (0.5 mM) or 1-isoproterenol (10−5 M) was enhanced when the two stimuli were applied simultaneously. The response to isoproterenol was blocked by raising Ca to 2.5 mM. Although d,l-propranolol (10−4 M) caused mild suppression of PTH release at a Ca of 1.25 mM, it did not cause additional suppression at 2.5 mM Ca nor did it decrease the response to 0.5 mM Ca stimulation. The secretory response of the gland to low Ca was sustained at a level more than double the baseline rate. The response to isoproterenol was more transient, with a return to or toward baseline secretion within 60 min. These results suggest that beta agonists and low Ca have separate but related mechanisms for stimulating PTH release and may affect different pools of hormone. The perifusion system described is a relatively simple technique for assessing the kinetics and interactions of various stimulators of PTH secretion.

The active vitamin D metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] causes marked suppression of both pre-proparathyroid hormone messenger RNA (pre-proPTH mRNA) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. These effects are dose dependent and reversible when tested in an in vitro primary tissue culture cell system using normal bovine parathyroid cells. In the current studies, the precursors of 1,25(OH)2D3 and the related metabolite 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24,25(OH)2D3], were used in the same culture system to test for possible regulatory effects. The results were compared with identically prepared cells exposed to 1,25(OH)2D3. In short-term studies (30-120 minutes), none of the vitamin D-related compounds produced any effect on PTH secretion. In long-term studies (24-48 hours, using primary tissue culture in the presence of test agents), neither vitamin D3 nor 25(OH)D3 affected PTH secretion or pre-proPTH mRNA over the concentration range 10(-11)-10(-7) M. On the other hand, 24,25(OH)2D3 produced significant suppression of both pre-proPTH mRNA (77% of control, P less than .01) and PTH secretion (75% of control, P less than .005) at 10(-7) M. By comparison, 10(-11) M 1,25(OH)2D3 produced levels of suppression (25-30%) of both pre-proPTH mRNA and PTH secretion comparable to 10(-7) M 24,25(OH)2D3, while even greater suppression (40-50%) occurred at 10(-9)-10(-7) M 1,25(OH)2D3. From these studies, we conclude that vitamin D3 and 25(OH)D3 do not have significant effects on PTH synthesis and secretion over the range of doses tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)