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PubMed1986

Effects of substance P on the long-term regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity and catecholamine levels in cultured adrenal chromaffin cells.

Acetylcholine, released from splanchnic nerve terminals innervating adrenal chromaffin cells, is known to increase synthesis of adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. The neuropeptide substance P is also present in the splanchnic nerve innervating the adrenal medulla, and this study examined whether substance P has any long-term effects on tyrosine hydroxylase activity and catecholamine levels in cultures of adult bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. When cultures were incubated for 3 days with substance P and carbachol, a cholinergic agonist, substance P (10(-6) M, and greater) completely inhibited the increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity normally induced by carbachol. Long-term stimulation with carbachol also depleted endogenous catecholamines from the cells and substance P prevented this carbachol-induced depletion of catecholamine content. Substance P by itself, in the absence of carbachol, had only a slight effect on tyrosine hydroxylase activity. 8-Bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate, an analogue of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate, also increases tyrosine hydroxylase activity in chromaffin cells; however, substance P had no effect on the increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity induced by this analogue. These results indicate that substance P's effects are relatively specific for the carbachol-induced increased in tyrosine hydroxylase activity and that the primary site of action of substance P is not a site common to the mechanism of tyrosine hydroxylase induction by carbachol and 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1987

Left ventricular catecholamines during acute myocardial infarction in the dog.

To determine whether changes in left ventricular catecholamine content occur during the first 30 to 90 min of acute myocardial infarction, myocardial catecholamine (radioenzymatic assay) over the interval was studied in the dog. In nine pentobarbital-anesthetized opened-chest dogs without coronary ligation, myocardial catecholamine at 2.5 h after pentobarbital (i) consisted mainly of norepinephrine (87% total catecholamine), (ii) showed a base to apex gradient in norepinephrine (1.44 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.03 +/- 0.10 micrograms/g, p less than 0.05) and dopamine (0.20 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.12 +/- 0.02 micrograms/g, p less than 0.05) but not epinephrine (0.017 vs. 0.016 micrograms/g), and (iii) showed no difference in norepinephrine, dopamine, or epinephrine across basal, mid, and apical left ventricular transverse planes spanning the vascular territories of the two coronary arteries. In 18 pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs with coronary ligation, (i) norepinephrine, measured in 14 regions across the mid left ventricle after 90 min ischemia in four dogs, was less in the ischemic center of the occluded bed than normal myocardium (1.01 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.29 +/- 0.04 micrograms/g, p less than 0.05), and (ii) norepinephrine was unchanged in normal myocardium of 14 dogs at 30, 60, 90 min, and 48 h but decreased in ischemic myocardium by 31% at 60 min (0.89 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.29 +/- 0.08 micrograms/g, p less than 0.025) and 79% at 48 h (0.27 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.26 +/- 0.08 micrograms/g, p less than 0.001). Thus, norepinephrine depletion from ischemic but not normal myocardium is detectable by 60 min during acute myocardial infarction.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1987

Nonadrenergic modulation by clonidine of the cosecretion of catecholamines and enkephalins in adrenal chromaffin cells.

Cultured bovine chromaffin cells cosecrete catecholamines and enkephalins following cholinergic nicotinic stimulation. Initial reports on the inhibitory effect of clonidine on catecholamine secretion raised the possibility of a modulation of chromaffin cell function through a presynaptic adrenergic mechanism. The purpose of this work was to investigate the pharmacological characteristics of this inhibitory effect of clonidine on the cosecretion of catecholamines and enkephalins in 4-day-old cultured chromaffin cells. We observed that clonidine completely inhibits nicotine-stimulated secretion of both leucine-enkephalin and catecholamines with an IC50 of 34 microM. Treatment of chromaffin cells for 3 days with 100 nM reserpine leads to a 67% increase in nicotine-stimulated secretion of leucine-enkephalin without any effect on the IC50 of clonidine. In reserpine-treated chromaffin cells, norepinephrine (100 microM) inhibits only by 27% nicotine-stimulated secretion of leucine-enkephalin with an IC50 of 50 microM. Neither the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine nor the alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin could fully reverse the inhibitory effect of clonidine on leucine-enkephalin secretion at 10 nM. These results tend to rule out the role of alpha-adrenergic receptors in the mediation of clonidine inhibition of cosecretion in chromaffin cells.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed2006

Attenuated stress-induced catecholamine release in mice lacking the vasopressin V1b receptor.

Vasopressin V(1b) receptor is specifically expressed in the pituitary and mediates adrenocorticotropin release, thereby regulating stress responses via its corticotropin releasing factor-like action. In the present study we examined catecholamine release in response to two types of stress in mice lacking the V(1b) receptor gene (V(1b)R(-/-) mice) vs. wild-type mice. There were no significant differences in the basal plasma levels of catecholamines between the two genotypes. In response to stress induced by forced swimming, norepinephrine (NE), but not epinephrine (E) or dopamine (DA), was increased in wild-type mice, whereas the increases in NE and DA were not observed in V(1b)R(-/-) mice. In wild-type mice, E, but not NE or DA, was increased in response to social isolation stress, whereas the increase in E was not observed in V(1b)R(-/-) mice. These results suggest that the V(1b) receptor regulates stress-induced catecholamine release. Because it has been suggested that arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is related to the development of depression, we also evaluated immobility time in the forced swimming test, and we found no significant change in V(1b)R(-/-) mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that, in addition to the previously elucidated effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, vasopressin activity via V(1b) receptors regulates stress-induced catecholamine release.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Peripheral venous catecholamines versus adrenal secretory rates after brain stem stimulation in cats.

The relationship between adrenal catecholamine secretion and peripheral venous catecholamine concentration was assessed in samples collected before and after brief (15-s) periods of brain stem electrical stimulation in cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose-urethan. Adrenal blood flow from the left lumboadrenal vein averaged 0.75 +/- 0.05 ml/min (means +/- SE, n = 56). Peripheral norepinephrine (NE) concentration (1.19 +/- 0.07 ng/ml) was not well correlated with adrenal NE secretion (38.18 +/- 3.99 ng/min) before stimulation (r = 0.334, P less than 0.025). Although brain stem sites that evoked large increases in adrenal NE secretion often caused an increase in peripheral NE, sites that evoked significant decreases in adrenal NE secretion were not accompanied by decreases in peripheral NE. Peripheral epinephrine (E) concentration (0.11 +/- 0.01 ng/ml) was well correlated with adrenal E secretion (23.72 +/- 2.33 ng/min) before stimulation (r = 0.468, P less than 0.001). Brain stem stimulation-evoked changes in adrenal E secretion were generally reflected in changes of peripheral E concentration, although many exceptions were seen. Peripheral dopamine (DA) concentration (0.23 +/- 0.02 ng/ml) was well correlated with adrenal DA secretion (0.94 +/- 0.11 ng/min) before stimulation (r = 0.505, P less than 0.001). However, stimulus-evoked changes in adrenal DA secretion were not reflected in changes of peripheral DA concentration. The data indicate that, whereas brief periods of brain stem stimulation evoke a wide range of adrenal secretory responses, peripheral catecholamine responses best reflected adrenal secretion only when large increases in adrenal secretion were evoked and were poor indicators of decreased adrenal catecholamine secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1993

Free and conjugated catecholamines and serotonin in canine thoracic duct lymph: effects of feeding.

The source and fate of sulfoconjugated catecholamines present in plasma are not known. Sulfated norepinephrine has been shown to overflow together with free norepinephrine from a typical peripheral neuroeffector junction. Some released free norepinephrine is removed via the lymphatic system, but it is not known whether sulfated catecholamines are removed similarly. Serotonin, another biogenic amine, is released from the enterochromaffin cells into portal blood. The aims of the present study were to determine whether conjugated catecholamines and serotonin could be detected in thoracic duct lymph of dogs and to compare concentrations in lymph with those in samples of portal blood collected before and after the dogs were fed. A method is described for the extraction and purification of free and conjugated catecholamines and serotonin from lymph. In lymph and in plasma, there were similar concentrations of free (0.2-0.4 ng/ml) and conjugated (0.1-0.2 ng/ml) norepinephrine and of conjugated dopamine (0.2-1.0 ng/ml). The concentrations of free serotonin were much lower in lymph (0.1-0.2 ng/ml) than in portal blood (100-200 ng/ml). Small amounts of conjugated serotonin (0.1-0.4 ng/ml) were detected in lymph but were not detected in plasma. Feeding caused increases in concentration of conjugated dopamine in lymph and in plasma and small increases in the output of free norepinephrine and free and conjugated serotonin in lymph.

Amines↗
PubMed2005

Catecholamines augment collateral vessel growth and angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemia.

Catecholamine stimulation of alpha1-adrenoceptors exerts growth factor-like activity, mediated by generation of reactive oxygen species, on arterial smooth muscle cells and adventitial fibroblasts and contributes to hypertrophy and hyperplasia in models of vascular injury and disease. Adrenergic trophic activity also contributes to flow-mediated positive arterial remodeling by augmenting proliferation and leukocyte accumulation. To further examine this concept, we studied whether catecholamines contribute to collateral growth and angiogenesis in hindlimb insufficiency. Support for this hypothesis includes the above-mentioned studies, evidence that ischemia augments norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerves, and proposed involvement of reactive oxygen species in angiogenesis and collateral growth. Mice deficient in catecholamine synthesis [by gene deletion of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH-/-)] were studied. At 3 wk after femoral artery ligation, increases in adductor muscle perfusion were similar in DBH-/- and wild-type mice, whereas recovery of plantar perfusion and calf microsphere flow were attenuated, although not significantly. Preexisting collaterals in adductor of wild-type mice showed increases in lumen diameter (60%) and medial and adventitial thickness (57 and 119%, P < 0.05 here and below). Lumen diameter increased similarly in DBH-/- mice (52%); however, increases in medial and adventitial thicknesses were reduced (30 and 65%). Leukocyte accumulation in the adventitia/periadventitia of collaterals was 39% less in DBH-/- mice. Increased density of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive vessels in wild-type adductor (45%) was inhibited in DBH-/- mice (2%). Although both groups experienced similar atrophy in the gastrocnemius (approximately 22%), the increase in capillary-to-muscle fiber ratio in wild-type mice (21%) was inhibited in DBH-/- mice (7%). These data suggest that catecholamines may contribute to collateral growth and angiogenesis in tissue ischemia.

Actins↗
PubMed1993

Catecholamines modulate protein turnover in cultured, quiescent rabbit cardiac myocytes.

When rabbit ventricular myocytes were cultured for 1 wk and then exposed to alpha- and/or beta-adrenergic agonists, such nonbeating heart cell preparations disclosed increased protein-to-DNA ratios and elevated RNA content, indicative of cellular hypertrophy. Norepinephrine, isoproterenol, and phenylephrine provoked hypertrophy with norepinephrine eliciting a greater response than isoproterenol or phenylephrine. Specific alpha- and beta-antagonists blocked growth by inhibiting catecholamine-induced changes in protein turnover. Each catecholamine enhanced the fractional rate of protein synthesis within 48 h; however, changes in growth rates appeared to be modulated, in part, by alterations in protein degradation. Even though rates of total protein and actin synthesis resembled values measured in vivo, myosin heavy chain fractional rate of synthesis was only 22% of in vivo levels. Double label immunofluorescence microscopy further illustrated that catecholamine treatment accelerated myofibrillar disruption in these quiescent heart cells. These observations suggested that in the absence of beating, neurohumoral modulation of contractile protein turnover was not associated with the maintenance of myofibrillar integrity even though catecholamines induced cellular hypertrophy.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Effect of acetylcholine infusion on adrenal vasculature and catecholamine secretion.

To evaluate effects of cholinergic receptor stimulation on regional adrenal blood flow (Q, radiolabeled microspheres) and catecholamine secretion, acetylcholine (ACh) was infused into pentobarbital-anesthetized, ventilated dogs. Unilateral adrenal denervation and placement of lumboadrenal catheters preceded intra-aortic infusion of 1) ACh alone (n = 6), 2) ACh plus hexamethonium (Hex) 20 mg/kg (n = 6), or 3) ACh plus atropine (Atr) (0.5 mg/kg) and Hex. ACh alone and in combination with Hex elicited similar dose-related (2, 20, and 100 mumol/min) increases in catecholamine secretion (181 +/- 61 to 1,055 +/- 229, 31,644 +/- 9,411, and 179,181 +/- 69,659 ng.min-1 x g medulla-1), whereas Hex and Atr together inhibited ACh-induced secretion by 95%. ACh caused marked medullary vasodilation (0.71 +/- 0.05 to 0.14 +/- 0.03 mmHg.ml-1 x min.100 g) in all three groups. To determine whether medullary vasodilation was due to incomplete muscarinic blockade, Hex-pretreated animals (n = 4) received ACh (100 mumol/min) and three increasing doses of Atr (0.5, 5, and 25 mg/kg). Catecholamine secretion was inhibited by all doses of Atr; however, vasodilation was blocked only by the two higher doses of Atr. These data suggest possible different mechanisms of muscarinic receptor-mediated catecholamine secretion and vasodilation.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2003

Peripheral O2 chemoreceptors mediate humoral catecholamine secretion from fish chromaffin cells.

This study addressed the hypothesis that the secretion of catecholamines from trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) chromaffin cells, during hypoxia, is triggered by stimulation of O(2) chemoreceptors located within the gills. Sodium cyanide was administered into the inspired water (external cyanide) or injected into the gill circulation (internal cyanide) to pharmacologically stimulate external (water sensing) or internal (blood sensing) O(2) chemoreceptors, respectively. Both of these treatments caused an elevation of circulating catecholamine levels. The response to external, but not internal, cyanide was abolished by removal of the first gill arch. Hypoxia produced an increase in circulating catecholamine levels that was unaffected by removal of the first gill arch or by denervation of the pseudobranch. Cyanide and hypoxia both caused the well-documented cardiorespiratory reflexes normally observed in this species. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that gill O(2) chemoreceptors can initiate the reflex that leads to catecholamine release from the chromaffin cells and that stimulation of internally oriented O(2) receptors on all gill arches appears to be the physiologically important mechanism for initiating release.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Role of nitric oxide in adrenal catecholamine secretion in anesthetized dogs.

We examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) in adrenal catecholamine secretion in response to splanchnic nerve stimulation (SNS) and exogenous acetylcholine (ACh) in anesthetized dogs. The NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), NO donor 3-(2-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-nitrosohydrazino)-N-methyl-1-propanamin e (NOC 7), and ACh were administered intra-arterially into the adrenal gland. The increases in catecholamine output induced by ACh (0.75-3 microgram) were enhanced by L-NAME (0.1-1 mg/min) and inhibited by NOC 7 (0.2-2 microgram/min). Inhibition by NOC 7 (2 microgram/min) was observed during treatment with L-NAME (1 mg/min). The increases in catecholamine output induced by SNS (1-2 Hz) were inhibited by L-NAME and by NOC 7. No inhibitory effect of NOC 7 was observed during treatment with L-NAME. These results suggest that NO may play an inhibitory role in the regulation of adrenal catecholamine secretion in response to exogenous ACh.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1993

Electrochemical detection of catecholamine release from rat carotid body in vitro.

Neurotransmitter secretion from carotid body glomus cells is hypothesized to be an essential element of chemotransduction. To address one aspect of this hypothesis, catecholamine release in response to hypoxic hypoxia and histotoxic hypoxia was examined using electrically treated carbon-fiber microelectrodes placed in rat carotid bodies in vitro. Carotid bodies of mature rats were removed, along with a portion of the sinus nerve, and suspended in oxygenated (95% O2-5% CO2) Ringer saline at 35 degrees C. The microelectrode differential current after a 50-mV step was recorded over the potential range of -300 to +500 mV. In some preparations, a suction electrode applied to the sinus nerve recorded single-fiber chemoreceptor afferent activity. Stimulation by severe hypoxia (Po2 approximately 0-10 Torr for 3 min, n = 10) and cyanide (2 mM for 2 min) caused an increase in sinus nerve activity and an increase in the carbon-fiber electrode current at a potential corresponding to the oxidation potential of dopamine. As measured in the amperometric mode (constant voltage), tissue catecholamine was 0.35 +/- 0.05 microM (n = 6) and increased to 1.64 +/- 0.43 microM by 1 min of severe hypoxia or to 1.06 +/- 0.17 microM at 2 min of moderate hypoxia (Po2 approximately 50 Torr). Exposure to calcium-free Ringer saline before hypoxia ablated the increase in electrode current, and the response was restored after reperfusion with calcium-containing saline. Repeated exposures to hypoxia (3-min duration) every 15 min resulted in significantly smaller nerve and catecholamine responses. By the third hypoxia exposure, nerve and catecholamine responses were diminished by 30-50%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1994

Effect of Na+ and K+ channel blockade on baseline and anoxia-induced catecholamine release from rat carotid body.

Ionic membrane currents are hypothesized to play a major role in determining secretion from carotid body glomus cells, and increased secretion likely mediates the increase in nerve activity in response to hypoxia. The hypothesis that Na+ and K+ channels play an important role in determining secretion and nerve activity was tested by measuring single-fiber afferent nerve activity along with an estimate of free tissue catecholamine using Nafion-covered carbon-fiber micro-electrodes placed in rat carotid bodies in vitro. Baseline and anoxia-stimulated (1 min duration; PO2 of approximately 0 Torr at nadir) levels were quantified. Sham treatment had no significant effect. Tetrodotoxin (2 microns) ablated the nerve activity and reduced peak catecholamine (19.5 +/- 3.1 to 14.5 +/- 3.4 microM; P < 0.05). Cesium (10 microns) had no effect on catecholamine but reduced the nerve response (19.8 +/- 2.7 to 7.8 +/- 2.0 Hz; P < 0.05). 4-Aminopyridine (4 mM) significantly reduced the nerve response (17.2 +/- 3.7 to 4.9 +/- 1.9 Hz; P < 0.05) and increased the baseline (0.9 +/- 0.2 to 3.1 +/- 0.8 microM; P < 0.05) and reduced the peak catecholamine (10.0 to 4.3 +/- 0.8 microM; P < 0.05) levels. These results demonstrate that Na+ and K+ channels play an important role in modulating the secretory and nerve responses. However, channel blockers do not emulate severe hypoxia, suggesting that hypoxia transduction procedes, at least in part, through an alternate pathway.

4-Aminopyridine↗
PubMed1998

Catecholamine response during 12 days of high-altitude exposure (4, 300 m) in women.

We have previously demonstrated that acclimatization to high altitude elicits increased sympathetic nerve activity in men. The purpose of this investigation was to determine 1) whether women respond in a similar manner as found previously in men and 2) the extent to which menstrual cycle phase influences this response. Sixteen eumenorrheic women (age, 23.6 +/- 1.2 yr; weight, 56.2 +/- 4. 3 kg) were studied at sea level and during 12 days of high-altitude exposure (4,300 m) in either their follicular (F; n = 11) or luteal (L; n = 5) phase. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected at sea level and during each day at altitude. Catecholamines were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Compared with sea-level values, urinary norepinephrine excretion increased significantly during altitude exposure, peaking on days 4-6. Thereafter, levels remained constant throughout the duration of altitude exposure. The magnitude of this increase was similar between the F (138%) and L (93%) phase. Urinary epinephrine levels were elevated on day 2 of altitude exposure compared with sea-level values for both F and L subjects (93%). Thereafter, urinary epinephrine excretion returned to sea-level values, and no differences were found between F and L subjects. Plasma catecholamine content was consistent with urinary values and supports the concept of an elevation in sympathetic activity over time at altitude. Mean and diastolic blood pressure as well as heart rate adjustments to high altitude correlated significantly with urinary norepinephrine excretion rates. It was concluded that 1) urinary and plasma catecholamine responses to 12 days of high-altitude exposure in women are similar to those previously documented to occur for men; 2) whereas no differences in catecholamine levels were observed between F- and L-phase assignments, for a given urinary norepinephrine excretion rate, blood pressure and heart rates were lower for F vs. L subjects; and 3) several cardiovascular adaptations associated with high-altitude exposure correlated with 24-h urinary norepinephrine excretion rates and thus sympathetic nerve activity.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2005

Reduced exercise-associated response of the GH-IGF-I axis and catecholamines in obese children and adolescents.

Obesity blunts catecholamine and growth hormone (GH) responses to exercise in adults, but the effect of obesity on these exercise-associated hormonal responses in children is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to asses the effect of childhood obesity on the counterregulatory hormonal response to acute exercise. Twenty-five obese children (Ob; body mass index > 95%), and 25 age, gender, and maturity-matched normal-weight controls (NW) participated in the study. Exercise consisted of ten 2-min bouts of constant-cycle ergometry above the anaerobic threshold, with 1-min rest intervals between each bout. Pre-, post-, and 120-min postexercise blood samples were collected for circulating components of the GH-IGF-I axis and catecholamines. There were no differences in peak exercise heart rate, serum lactate, and peak O2 uptake normalized to lean body mass between the groups. Obesity attenuated the GH response to exercise (8.9 +/- 1.1 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.7 ng/ml in NW and Ob participants, respectively; P < 0.02). No significant differences in the response to exercise were found for other components of the GH-IGF-I axis. Obesity attenuated the catecholamine response to exercise (epinephrine: 52.5 +/- 12.7 vs. 18.7 +/- 3.7 pg/ml, P < 0.02; norepinephrine: 479.5 +/- 109.9 vs. 218.0 +/- 26.0 pg/ml, P < 0.04; dopamine: 17.2 +/- 2.9 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.9 pg/ml, P < 0.006 in NW and Ob, respectively). Insulin levels were significantly higher in the obese children and dropped significantly after exercise in both groups. Despite the elevated insulin levels and the blunted counterregulatory response, none of the participants developed hypoglycemia. Childhood obesity was associated with attenuated GH and catecholamine response to acute exercise. These abnormalities were compensated for, so that exercise was not associated with hypoglycemia, despite increased insulin levels in obese children.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adrenal medullary grafts restore olfactory deficits and catecholamine levels of 6-OHDA amygdala lesioned animals.

Aside from motor and cognitive deficits, Parkinson patients also manifest a little-studied olfactory deficit. Since in Parkinson's disease there is a dopamine depletion of the amygdala due to mesocorticolimbic system degeneration, we decided to test olfactory and taste performance of 6-OHDA amygdala lesioned rats, as well as the possible restoration of either function with adrenal medullary transplants. Two 6-OHDA lesioned groups and one control group were tested in the potentiation of odor by taste aversion paradigm. On taste aversion none of the groups showed any impairment. In contrast, the 6-OHDA lesioned rats showed a marked impairment in olfactory aversion. At this point, one of the lesioned groups received a bilateral adrenal medullary graft within the lesioned area. After two months, all groups were submitted again to the behavioral paradigm. Taste remained unaffected, but the lesioned only group did not recover either olfactory aversion or normal catecholamine levels. The grafted group, on the other hand, restored olfactory aversion and catecholamine levels. It can be concluded from this study that catecholamine depletion of the amygdala is sufficient to produce a selective olfactory deficit, not accompanied by taste impairments, and that such a deficit can be reversed by adrenal medullary transplants, which in turn restore catecholamine levels.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed2005

Effects of space flight conditions on the function of the immune system and catecholamine production simulated in a rodent model of hindlimb unloading.

UNLABELLED: The rodent model of hindlimb unloading has been successfully used to simulate some of the effects of space flight conditions. Previous studies have indicated that mice exposed to hindlimb-unloading conditions have decreased resistance to infections compared to restrained and normally housed control mice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanisms involved in resistance to infection in this model by examining the effects of hindlimb unloading on the function of the immune system and its impact on the production of catecholamines. METHODS: Female Swiss Webster mice were hindlimb-unloaded during 48 h and the function of the immune system was assessed in spleen and peritoneal cells immediately after this period. In addition, the kinetics of catecholamine production was measured throughout the hindlimb-unloading period. RESULTS: The function of the immune system was significantly suppressed in the hindlimb-unloaded group compared to restrained and normally housed control mice. Levels of catecholamines were increased in the hindlimb-unloaded group and peaked at 12 h following the commencement of unloading. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that physiological responses of mice are altered early after hindlimb unloading and that catecholamines may play a critical role in the modulation of the immune system. These changes may affect the ability of mice to resist infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of acute treatment with sodium valproate on catecholamine and serotonin synthesis in mouse cerebral cortex.

We examined the effect of sodium valproate (VPA) on monoamine synthesis in the mouse cerebral cortex by measuring the accumulation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and 5-hydroxytryptophan following inhibition of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Treatment with VPA decreased catecholamine synthesis, in a dose-dependent manner, with maximum inhibition 60 min following treatment. Muscimol, a GABAA receptor agonist, also decreased catecholamine synthesis, although baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist, did not. Picrotoxin, a GABAA receptor antagonist, inhibited the VPA-induced decrease in catecholamine synthesis. However, serotonin synthesis was not significantly changed by VPA. These results suggest that acute treatment with VPA reduces the synthesis of catecholamines via GABAA receptors.

Animals↗