Calcium channel drugs affect nocturnal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity in rat pineal gland.

The effects of different organic compounds that block and increase Ca2+ influx through the voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) on the nocturnal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity was investigated in vivo in rats. Systemic administration of VSCC antagonists, i.e. nimodipine, nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem, resulted in a marked suppression of the nighttime pineal NAT activity. Bay K 8644, a VSCC agonist, injected to rats before the time of the light offset of the light-dark cycle significantly enhanced the nocturnal increase of the pineal NAT activity. Although Bay K 8644 given during the dark phase of an imposed illumination cycle had little effect on the nocturnal pineal NAT activity, it antagonized the nimodipine- and verapamil-induced decrease in the enzyme activity. These results support the role of Ca2+ influx through the VSCC in the nocturnal increase of NAT activity in the pineal gland of rat.