Dynorphin 1–17 Delays the Vasopressin Induced Mobilization of Intracellular Calcium in Cultured Astrocytes from the Rat Neural Lobe

Opioid peptides are present in nerve terminals in the rat neural lobe where they partially coexist with vasopressin. Morphological findings suggest that these neuropeptides are released onto pituicytes, which is in agreement with a possible role for the pituicyte in oxytocin and vasopressin release from the neural lobe. Pituicytes in culture respond to vasopressin with a mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores. In the present study this vasopressin induced increase in intracellular free calcium levels was both delayed and decreased by pre-exposure to dynorphin 1–17, while dynorphin 1–17 by itself did not affect basal calcium levels. All effects of dynorphin 1–17 could be blocked with naloxone. The present results suggest that opioid receptors are present on pituicytes and are coupled to a second messenger pathway by which opioid peptides may inhibit inositol phosphate dependent calcium mobilization by other neuropeptides, such as vasopressin.