Fluorescence histochemical evidence for decreased noradrenaline synthesis in sympathetic neurones of aged rats.
Measurements of formaldehyde-induced fluorescence of noradrenaline (NA) in sympathetic neuronal perikarya of aged (24-month) and younger (4-month) control rats revealed little or no NA fluorescence in many sympathetic neurones of aged rats: neuronal fluorescence in younger rats was substantially greater. Monoamine oxidase inhibition increased NA fluorescence in all rats, but the increase was greater in the 4-month controls. Reserpine administration caused an almost complete disappearance of NA fluorescence after 12 h. However, normal NA levels were restored in the 4-month controls after 48 h but not for 7 days in the aged rats.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009526:Nialamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology
D012110:Reserpine; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D009526:Nialamide; D009638:Norepinephrine