Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A study of the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla by indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines

  • Published:
Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Archiv für Pharmakologie und experimentelle Pathologie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

1. Experiments were carried out to study the catecholamine releasing activity of the indirectly-acting sympathomimetic amines on the perfused adrenal gland of the cat.

2. Phenylethylamine, d-amphetamine, dl-amphetamine, hydroxy-amphetamine, metamphetamine, tyramine, phenylpropanolamine, metaraminol, and ephedrine all enhanced the release of catecholamines from both acutely and chronically denervated glands.

3. The removal of calcium from the perfusion fluid completely abolished the stimulant actions of these agents, whereas, potassium deprivation potentiated the secretory response to phenylethylamine, d-amphetamine, and tyramine.

4. The addition of magnesium (5 mM) suppressed the output elicited by phenylethylamine, d-amphetamine, and tyramine. Excess calcium (12 mM) reversed the magnesium-inhibition to the amphetamine response but was ineffective in restoring the phenylethylamine evoked release and was only partially effective in reversing the antagonism when tyramine was the stimulating agent.

5. Hexamethonium also greatly inhibited the secretory response to phenylethylamine, d-amphetamine, and phenylpropanolamine in both acutely and chronically denervated glands.

6. It is concluded that, at least under the different experimental conditions of the present study, the sympathomimetic amines as secretogogues behave in a manner which resembles ACh. Some possible interpretations of these findings are considered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anden, N. E.: On the mechanism of noradrenaline depletion by α-methyl metatyramine and metaraminol. Acta pharmacol. (Kbh.) 21, 260 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Anton, A. H., and D. F. Sayre: A study of the factors affecting the aluminium oxide trihydroxyindole procedure for analysis of catecholamines. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 138, 360 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhagat, H.: Pressor responses to amphetamine in the spinal cat and its influence on tachyphylaxis to tyramine. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 149, 206 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaschko, H., P. Hagen, and A. D. Welch: Observations on the intracellular granules of the adrenal medulla. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 129, 27 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouillin, D. J., and B. B. Brodie: Effect of cations on the output of H3-norepinephrine from sympathetic nerves. Pharmacologist 7, 180 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, O., K. N. Dhawan, and G. P. Gupta: Release of acetylcholine by tyramine. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn. 157, 141 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Crout, R. J.: Standard Methods of Clinical Chemistry (D. Seligson, Ed.), Vol. 3, p. 62. New York: Academic Press.

  • Douglas, W. W., and A. M. Poisner: On the mode of action of acetylcholine in evoking adrenal medullary secretion: increased uptake of calcium during the secretory response. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 162, 385 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • —— —— and R. P. Rubin: Efflux of adenine nucleotides from perfused adrenal glands exposed to nicotine and other chromaffin cell stimulants. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 179, 130 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • ——, and R. P. Rubin: Mechanism of nicotinic action at the adrenal medulla: Calcium as a link in stimulus-secretion coupling. Nature (Lond.) 192, 1087 (1961a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —— —— The role of calcium on the secretory response of the adrenal medulla to acetylcholine. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 159, 40 (1961b).

    Google Scholar 

  • —— —— The mechanism of catecholamine release from the adrenal medulla and the role of calcium in stimulus-secretion coupling. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 167, 288 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, J. E., W. D. Horst, and I. J. Kopin: β-Hydroxylated sympathomimetic amines as false neurotransmitters. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 24, 477 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrett, J., W. E. Osswald, E. Rodrigues-Pereira, and S. Guimaraes: Catecholamine release from the isolated perfused adrenal gland. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak. 250, 325 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, R. D., and J. W. Miller: Evidence for active transport of epinephrine and norepinephrine by the uterus of the rat. Pharmacologist 7, 155 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Haag, H. W., A. Philippu, and H. J. Schümann: Freisetzung von Brenzcatechinaaminen aus der isoliert durchströmten Nebenniere durch Tyramin und β-Phenylathylamin. Experientia (Basel) 17, 187 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hertting, G., J. Axelrod, and L. G. Whitby: Effect of drugs on the uptake and metabolism of H3-norepinephrine. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 134, 146 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Malmfors, T.: Studies on adrenergic nerves. Acta physiol. scand. 64, suppl., 248 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Philippu, A., and H. J. Schümann: Der Einfluß von Guanethidin und Bretylium auf die Freisetzung von Brenzcatechinaminen. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak. 243, 26 (1962a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —— —— Der Einfluß von Calcium auf die Brenzcatechinaminfreisetzung. Experientia (Basel) 18, 138 (1962b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinert, H.: The depolarizing and blocking action of amphetamine in the cat's superior cervical ganglion: Adrenergic Mechanisms: Ciba Foundation Symposium, p. 373. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schümann, H. J., and A. Philippu: Release of catecholamines from isolated medullary granules by sympathomimetic amines. Nature (Lond.) 193, 890 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • —— —— Zum Mechanismus der durch Calcium und Magnesium verursachten Freisetzung der Nebennierenmarkhormone. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak. 244, 466 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • ——, u. E. Weigmann: Über den Angriffspunkt der indirekten Wirkung Sympathicomimetischer Amine. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak. 240, 275 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stromblad, B. C. R.: Effect of denervation and of cocaine on the action of sympathomimetic amines. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 15, 328 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vane, J. R.: The actions of sympathomimetic amines on tryptamine receptors. Adrenergic Mechanisms: Ciba Foundation Symposium, p. 356. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogt, M.: The secretion of the denervated adrenal medulla of the cat. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 7, 325 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiner, N., P. R. Draskoczy, and W. R. Burack: The ability of tyramine to liberate catecholamines in vivo. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 137, 47 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, J.: Partial degeneration of the nerve supply of the adrenal. A study in autonomic innervation. J. Anat. (Lond.) 73, 540 (1939).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Ronald P. Rubin & Siret D. Jaanus

Authors
  1. Ronald P. Rubin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Siret D. Jaanus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

A portion of this work was presented at the 1965 Fall Meeting of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Philadelphia, U.S.A.

This work was supported by research grant AM 09237 from National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, United States Public Health Service.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rubin, R.P., Jaanus, S.D. A study of the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla by indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmak. u. Exp. Path. 254, 125–137 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00535900

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00535900

Keywords

Search

Navigation