title: Significance of plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity as an index of sympathetic neuronal function.
abstract: Plasma norepinephrine and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.17.1) activity were measured in rats. Adrenergic neuron blockade with bretylium for 4 hr and ganglion blockade with chlorisondamine for 72 hr lowered plasma norepinephrine. Neither treatment altered plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity. Phenoxybenzamine for up to 48 hr markedly raised plasma norepinephrine and transiently lowered plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase at 24 hr. Prolonged pharmacological modification of sympathetic nervous activity and plasma norepinephrine were not attended by parallel changes in circulating dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity. Plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity does not appear to be a sensitive index of prolonged alterations in sympathetic neural activity. Norepinephrine in plasma, however, appears to reflect sensitively and accurately the rate of release of the neurotransmitter.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001949:Bretylium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D002714:Chlorisondamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000097:blood*; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001949:Bretylium Compounds; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D002714:Chlorisondamine; D009638:Norepinephrine