Catecholamine concentrations in rat nasal mucus are modulated by trigeminal stimulation of the nasal cavity.
Olfactory mucus provides the perireceptor environment in which the initial steps of olfactory signal transduction occur [5]. Extrinsic autonomic and trigeminal innervation controls mucus secretion and may release neurotransmitters into nasal mucus [13]. We quantitated catecholamines in rat nasal mucus and found that catecholamine levels first increased and then declined with trigeminal stimulation. These data indicate that catecholamine levels are regulated in nasal mucus and could modulate the odor sensitivity of olfactory sensory neurons.
Department of Physiology, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA. mary.lucero@m.cc.utah.edu
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D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000294:innervation*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D009812:Odorants; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D002395:Catecholamines; D002245:Carbon Dioxide