PGE2: opposite effect on catecholamine release from phaeochromocytoma and adrenal medulla.

The effect of PGE2 on catecholamine release from human adrenal medulla and phaechromocytoma was studied in slices incubated in vitro. In each of 3 normal human adrenal medullae PGE2 (10(-7) M) caused a significant inhibition of the release of catecholamines in in vitro incubation. In each of 3 phaechromocytomas studied PGE2 (10(-7) M) caused a significant increase of catecholamine release in in-vitro incubation. The possible relevance of this mechanism to the regulation of catecholamine release in phaeochromocytoma is discussed.