title: Studies in the mechanism of phenylethylamine uptake by rabbit erythrocytes.
abstract: The mechanism of phenylethylamine (PEA) uptake by in vitro rabbit erythrocyte preparations involve both a larger component of passive diffusion and an Na+-dependent facilitated transport system. This is reflected by the fast rate and lack of saturation of PEA erythrocyte uptake, and by the decrease in PEA tissue/medium ratio when the amine was incubated in an Na+-free medium or in the presence of ouabain. Results obtained after the addition of iodoacetamide or by the use of glucose-free medium suggest the Na+-K+ gradient as the driving force responsible for operation of the carrier mechanism. Preliminary results indicate that amphetamine PEA share a similar mechanism for their uptake by rabbit erythrocytes. At the levels normally present in rabbit blood (c. 1 X 10(-8)M), about one-third of the PEA is found in the serum and only a very small portion of it (less than 1%) is present as the "biologically active" non-ionized amine. Most of the remaining phenylethylamine is bound to plasma protein or inside the erythrocytes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000097:blood; D004058:Diffusion; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000097:blood*; D011817:Rabbits; D012964:Sodium / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010627:Phenethylamines; D010042:Ouabain; D012964:Sodium; D003913:Dextroamphetamine