Catecholamines and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase in selected brain nuclei and in the pineal gland of neurogenically hypertensive rats.
Catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) and the epinephrine-forming enzyme, phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT, E.C. 2.1.1.28) were measured in selective brainstem and hypothalamic nuclei and in the pineal gland of acutely (3 days after operation) and chronically (2 weeks after operation) neurogenically hypertensive (sinoaortically denervated, SAD) rats. Alterations in catecholamine levels and in PNMT activity were restricted to a few brain nuclei and the pineal gland, and were dependent on the time elapsed since SAD. Our results suggest a participation of discrete hypothalamic norepinephrine and brainstem epinephrine neurons in the development and maintenance of neurogenic hypertension.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000378:metabolism; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000032:analysis*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D002395:Catecholamines; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine