Biomaterial Database

Pancreatic acinar cells: measurement of membrane potential and miniature depolarization potentials. 1972

P M Dean, and E K Matthews

1. Intracellular recordings of membrane potentials have been made in vitro from the exocrine acinar cells of the mouse pancreas using glass micro-electrodes.2. The mean membrane potential of the acinar cells was -41.2 mV. Spontaneous miniature depolarization potentials of 0.5-5.0 mV amplitude and occurring at random intervals were often observed superimposed upon the resting membrane potential. Atropine 2.8 x 10(-6)M decreased, and physostigmine 1.23 x 10(-5)M increased, the frequency and amplitude of the miniature potentials.3. Electrical stimulation of the pancreatic nerves depolarized the acinar cells. Acetyl beta-methylcholine 10(-6)M produced a sustained depolarization. Atropine 1.4 x 10(-6)M blocked the depolarization to both electrical stimulation and acetyl beta-methylcholine.4. Pancreozymin depolarized the exocrine acinar cells but secretin did not.5. These results suggest that the miniature depolarization potentials are of cholinergic origin and that depolarization of the pancreatic exocrine cells by nerve stimulation or pancreozymin may trigger secretion.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008433	Mathematics	The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Mathematic
D008564	Membrane Potentials	The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).	Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D008688	Methacholine Compounds	A group of compounds that are derivatives of beta-methylacetylcholine (methacholine).	Compounds, Methacholine
D008839	Microelectrodes	Electrodes with an extremely small tip, used in a voltage clamp or other apparatus to stimulate or record bioelectric potentials of single cells intracellularly or extracellularly. (Dorland, 28th ed)	Electrodes, Miniaturized,Electrode, Miniaturized,Microelectrode,Miniaturized Electrode,Miniaturized Electrodes
D010179	Pancreas	A nodular organ in the ABDOMEN that contains a mixture of ENDOCRINE GLANDS and EXOCRINE GLANDS. The small endocrine portion consists of the ISLETS OF LANGERHANS secreting a number of hormones into the blood stream. The large exocrine portion (EXOCRINE PANCREAS) is a compound acinar gland that secretes several digestive enzymes into the pancreatic ductal system that empties into the DUODENUM.
D010830	Physostigmine	A cholinesterase inhibitor that is rapidly absorbed through membranes. It can be applied topically to the conjunctiva. It also can cross the blood-brain barrier and is used when central nervous system effects are desired, as in the treatment of severe anticholinergic toxicity.	Eserine
D002766	Cholecystokinin	A peptide, of about 33 amino acids, secreted by the upper INTESTINAL MUCOSA and also found in the central nervous system. It causes gallbladder contraction, release of pancreatic exocrine (or digestive) enzymes, and affects other gastrointestinal functions. Cholecystokinin may be the mediator of satiety.	Pancreozymin,CCK-33,Cholecystokinin 33,Uropancreozymin
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D005260	Female		Females