Characteristics of catecholamine release from adrenal chromaffin cells cultured in medium containing ethanol--I. Spontaneous and K(+)-induced release.

Bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were dissociated and grown in primary culture for 9 days. Three days after plating, half the cultures were grown in a medium containing 200 mM ethanol and the other half in a control medium, for a further 6 days. The catecholamine content of the ethanol-treated cells was increased after 6 days of ethanol treatment, compared to control cells and there was a slight reduction in protein and DNA content. An enhanced spontaneous release of catecholamines was seen, which was Ca(2+)-dependent and was inhibited by cadmium but not by the organic dihydropyridine Ca2+ antagonist nitrendipine. The fraction of catecholamines released by K+ was also enhanced in ethanol-treated preparations, particularly at high K+ or Ca2+ concentrations. Release induced by K+ was sensitive to inhibition by both cadmium and organic dihydropyridine Ca2+ antagonists. The results show many similarities with changes observed in catecholaminergic transmission in rat brain during the development of ethanol physical dependence.