High activity of cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase in sera of patient with phaeochromocytoma.

Our previous observations that serum cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity varied in thyroid disorders and was positively correlated with thyroid function stimulated us to investigate the phosphodiesterase levels in sera of patients with pituitary and adrenal disorders, and the response to glucagon in normal subjects. Both serum cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (cyclic AMP-PDE) and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (cyclic GMP-PDE) activities were measured at a low substrate concentration. Serum cyclic AMP-PDE activity was elevated in five patients with phaeochromocytoma and was not elevated in patients with Cushing's syndrome or acromegaly, compared to the level in normal subjects. Increased enzyme activities returned to normal after resection of the tumours. Intramuscular injection of glucagon to five healthy subjects elevated cyclic AMP levels and cyclic AMP-PDE activity in plasma. These results imply that the increased cyclic AMP level by the activation of cyclase may have induced cyclic AMP-PDE in the target organ and the soluble cyclic AMP-PDE may leak into blood vessels from target organs.