The uptake and retention of [3H]noradrenaline in rat sciatic nerves after ligation

Presence of a noradrenaline uptake system on a ligated cat sympathetic nerve

[3H]noradrenaline [( 3H]NA) uptake studies were carried out in cat hypogastric nerves ligated in vivo, 2 cm distal to the inferior mesenteric ganglion, for different time periods. Atria from the same animals served as controls to determine the uptake of the amine by the U1 uptake system present in noradrenergic nerve terminals. The net uptake of [3H]NA by hypogastric nerves increased with time of ligation, reaching a maximum 24 h after ligation in the segment of nerve immediately proximal to the ligature (P1 segment, neurosome). No further increase in uptake was observed at 48 or 72 h. Segments distal (D1) to the ligature also retained significant amounts of [3H]NA. In both cases the uptake was blocked by cocaine (3 microM). Reserpine pre-treatment (2 mg/kg I.M.) markedly decreased the endogenous NA content to 1-2% of untreated cats and the net uptake of [3H]NA was lowered to 25% both in cat hypogastric nerve and atria. The uptake was further decreased in the presence of cocaine (3 microM). 6-Hydroxydopamine (100 microM) did not modify the [3H]NA uptake by ligated cat hypogastric nerves but almost abolished the [3H]NA net uptake by right atria from the same animals. After collagenase pre-treatment (0.05% for 15 min) the net uptake of [3H]NA was not altered in the atrium. However, collagenase-pre-treated ligated nerves, took up almost twice as much [3H]NA; under these conditions, 6-hydroxydopamine produced a marked decrease in [3H]NA net uptake. These data suggest the presence in the perineurium of a diffusion barrier for very polar substances, including 6-hydroxydopamine. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the cat hypogastric nerve ligated in vivo has a cocaine-sensitive system for NA uptake which resembles the NA uptake mechanism (U1) present in noradrenergic nerve terminals. Our data further support the view that the ligated cat hypogastric nerve (neurosome) could be considered as a model of noradrenergic nerve terminal free of effector cell.

Release of endogenous noradrenaline from ligated cat hypogastric nerve by veratridine

The effect of veratridine on in vitro release of noradrenaline (NA) from ligated cat hypogastric nerve was investigated. After in vivo ligation for 24-48 h, large amounts of NA and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) accumulated in the nerve segment immediately proximal to the ligature (P1). In vitro incubation of ligated nerves (segments P1 and P2) in oxygenated Krebs solution at 37 degrees C in the presence of veratridine caused a marked and dose-dependent release of endogenously accumulated NA into the incubation medium. The release continued to occur for a considerable time, even after washout of the drug. Veratridine-induced depletion of tissue NA was accounted for by its release, as NA, into the incubating medium. The secretory response to veratridine was readily blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX). Veratridine-induced release was dependent on calcium and abolished by high magnesium. On the basis of the similarity between the NA secretory response to veratridine in this preparation and in adrenergically innervated organs, the results favour the view that the in vivo-ligated cat hypogastric nerve may serve as a useful model of adrenergic nerve terminals free of effector cells.

Release of noradrenaline from the ligated cat hypogastric nerve

After in vivo ligation for 24 of the cat hypogastric nerve, large amounts of noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) accumulated in the nerve segment immediately proximal to the ligature (P 1). In vitro incubation of 24-h-ligated nerves ((segments P1 and P2) in oxygenated Krebs solution at 37 degrees C in the presence of the ionophore X537A or high K+ concentrations caused a marked release of endogenously accumulated NA into the incubation medium. High-K+-evoked release was entirely dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Electrical nerve stimulation caused an 80% tissue NA loss, but the transmitter could not be found in the medium as intact NA. These results suggest that the in vivo ligated cat hypogastric nerve may serve as a useful model of adrenergic nerve terminals free of effector cells.

The effects of iproniazid and reserpine on the accumulation of granular vesicles and noradrenaline in constricted adrenergic nerves

1. The accumulation of granular vesicles proximal to a constriction applied to hypogastric nerves has been investigated with the electron microscope in cats treated with reserpine and/or iproniazid.2. The ultrastructural changes have been correlated with the accumulation of noradrenaline at the same site in similarly treated animals.3. The findings give further support to the view that granular vesicles constitute a major storage site for intraneuronal noradrenaline.