Enhancement of barium- and cesium-induced adrenal catecholamine release by lidocaine

Summary Catecholamine release evoked from isolated perfused bovine adrenals by Ba⁺² or Cs⁺ is enhanced by lidocaine or by a calcium-free medium. The action of Cs⁺ therefore differs from that of K⁺ or Rb⁺ in adrenal medulla. Divalent and monovalent metallic cations of relatively large atomic weight like Ba⁺² and Cs⁺, probably penetrate the cell more easily than small highly charged ions and act intracellularly to cause adrenal catecholamine release. Local anesthetics and calcium-free media may allow greater influx of Ba⁺² and Cs⁺ into adrenomedullary cells.Acknowledgment. This work was supported by NIH, grant No. AM16153.