In vitro action of bombesin on amylase secretion, membrane potential, and membrane resistance in rat and mouse pancreatic acinar cells. A comparison with other secretagogues.

Bombesin caused depolarization of rat or mouse pancreatic acinar cell membrane, reduction of membrane resistance, and a steep rise in amylase output from superfused pancreatic fragments. These effects were similar to those previously described for acetylcholine, cholecystokinin, and gastrin. The dose-response curves for these three effects of bombesin were very similar, with effects being detectable at concentrations of about 30 pM and maximal effects at about 10 nM. The equilibrium potential for the membrane action of bombesin, i.e., the membrane potential at which bombesin did not cause any change in membrane potential, was -16 mV. Similar values for equilibrium potential were obtained with acetylcholine, caerulein and pentagastrin. Bombesin in the higher dose range (10 nM) caused electrical uncoupling of acinar cells within an acinus, i.e., a marked increase in junctional membrane resistance. Similar uncoupling effects were observed after acetylcholine, caerulein, and pentagastrin stimulation. In conclusion, bombesin acts on the pancreatic acinar plasma membrane in exactly the same way as acetylcholine and cholecystokinin-pancreozymin. The electrical uncoupling caused by stimulation is evidence for an increase in cytosol free calcium ion concentration.