Abstract
The influence of various agents on calcitonin release from human thyroid was studied
in vitro. Under the conditions of this investigation, calcium, magnesium and phosphate
did not stimulate calcitonin release from short-term incubated slices of human thyroid.
However, pentagastrin and USP glucagon were potent stimulators of calcitonin release.
Theophylline and dibutyryl cyclic AMP were also potent stimuli. A highly purified
preparation of pancreatic glucagon was without an effect. Those agents which stimulated
calcitonin release were associated with augmented cyclic AMP accumulation. Although
maximal discharge of calcitonin required the presence of calcium, our in vitro experiments
raise the question as to whether a gastrointestinal hormone, rather than calcium,
might not be the principal agent affecting calcitonin release.
Key words
Calcitonin - Human Thyroid - Calcium - Gastrointestinal Hormone
1 Present address: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine,
University of Miami School of Medicine, P.O. Box 520875, Biscayne Annex, Miami, Florida
33152, USA.
