Inoue_1985_Am.J.Physiol_248_G79

The in vitro release of pepsinogen secretion by the isolated esophagus of the American bullfrog was studied with an improved model system. The tissue was mounted in a double chamber that preserves mucosal polarity and provides both control and test segments, each 1 cm2 from the same tissue. Pepsinogen secretion was severalfold higher than previously found with mucosal strips and could be sustained for several hours. Bethanechol (BCh) caused concentration-dependent (0.1-50 microM) pepsinogen secretion with a Vmax of 74 +/- 12 micrograms X mg prot-1 X h-1 or 50-60% of total pepsinogen; Km was 3 microM and 500 microM BCh stimulated at less than the Vmax value. Atropine specifically blocked BCh and pA2 = 9.3. In the presence of 100 microM isobutylmethyxanthine, BCh produced a dose-dependent increase in tissue cAMP but not cGMP. BCh remained effective in Ca2+-free medium. In calcium-free medium EGTA concentration dependently (0.2-5 mM) suppressed the pepsinogen response to BCh. The evidence thus far suggests that cholinergic stimulation of pepsinogen secretion in the tissue acts via both cAMP and Ca2+. More specific studies would be required for absolute confirmation of either or both apparent mechanisms and to resolve how they interact.