Summary
Using the histochemical method for the demonstration of DA, NA and 5-HT it has been possible to demonstrate, in reserpine treated rats, that intraventricularly administered DA, NA, α-methyl-DA and α-methyl-NA in doses of 1–2 μg are specifically taken up by the parts of the DA and NA neurons lying close to the ventricles and the subarachnoidal space. The distribution of this uptake is described in detail. No uptake and accumulation of DA and NA was observed unless the monoamineoxidase had been inhibited whereas the α-methylated compounds which are resistant to monoamineoxidase accumulated without monoamineoxidase inhibition. Intraventricularly administered 5-HT was specifically taken up and accumulated in the 5-HT neurons within the same zone provided that monoamineoxidase had been inhibited. The distribution of this uptake is described in detail. After high doses of CA (5–10 μg) these amines accumulated to some extent also in the 5-HT neurons while no such accumulation was observed in the CA neurons after high doses of 5-HT. Thus, the present results indicate that there exists a specific reserpine-resistant, amine-concentrating mechanism at the nerve cell membrane of CA and 5-HT neurons. In areas where the exogenous amine concentrations probably were high there also occurred an accumulation of DA and NA in the CA neurons although the monoamineoxidase was not inhibited. Finally, in a certain area of the hypothalamus, CA was found to accumulate even after low doses (1–2 μg), in nerve cell bodies which probably normally do not contain CA.
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This study was supported by a research grant from the Swedish Medical Research Council (12x-715-03) and by grants from M. Bergwalls stiftelse and C. Nathorsts stiftelse.
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Fuxe, K., Ungerstedt, U. Histochemical studies on the distribution of catecholamines and 5-hydroxytryptamine after intraventricular injections. Histochemie 13, 16–28 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303872
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303872