Abstract
Motilin is a peptide first isolated from small intestine based on its effects on gut motility. It is widely distributed in neuroendocrine tissue including adrenal gland but its function in these tissues is not known. We measured adrenal gland motilin during development (day 20 of fetal life thru adulthood) and after treatment with drugs known to effect adrenal function. Adrenal glands from Sprague-Dawley rats were extracted and motilin content measured by radioimmunoassay. In drug studies young adult male rats were injected I.M. for 5 days with either dexa-methasone 0.1 mg daily or reserpine 1 mg every other day. Control rats received saline. Motilin was not detectable in adrenal until 1 week of age. The concentration then increased until 5 wks of life when it reached adult levels. Reserpine, but not dexa-methasone, had a marked effect on motilin content.
This increase after pharmacologic denervation of adrenal gland is consistent with a function for this peptide in the adrenal medulla. It is of interest in this regard that enkephalin, another neuropeptide found in adrenal, is released from adrenal gland during hypovolemic shock. Understanding of the specific function for motilin in this system awaits further study.
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Poth, M., Proia, D. & Gustafson, J. CHANGES IN ADRENAL GLAND MOTILIN CONTENT DURING DEVELOPMENT AND WITH PHARMACOLOGIC DENERVATION. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 174 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00487
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00487