Pancreastatin decreases plasma epinephrine levels in surgical stress in the rat.

Pancreastatin is a novel peptide, isolated from porcine pancreatic extracts, that is known to be derived from chromogranin A. Since chromogranin A-derived peptides have been shown to control secretion from chromaffin cells, we studied the effect of rat pancreastatin, injected intravenously via portal vein, on plasma catecholamine levels in the anesthetized, laparotomized rat. Rat pancreastatin reversibly decreased plasma epinephrine levels, in a dose-dependent manner, without modifying plasma norepinephrine and dopamine levels. These findings suggest that pancreastatin, released from the gastroenteropancreatic system or derived from chromogranin A, may have a role controlling secretion from the adrenal medulla in surgical stress.