Inhibition of prostaglandin-induced cyclic AMP accumulation in the rat anterior pituitary by alrestatin.

Alrestatin at 25-1 X 10(-4) M inhibited the accumulation of cyclic AMP induced by prostaglandin E2, but not theophylline, in the rat anterior pituitary in vitro. Somatostatin, at lower concentrations, inhibited both; maximal inhibition of the prostaglandin effect was greater with alrestatin. As cyclic AMP is considered to be a mediator in induced-hormonal release, it appears from the present findings that alrestatin may be of potential use in altering hormonal release.