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On the uptake of exogenous catecholamines by adrenal chromaffin cells and nerve endings

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Summary

Light-microscopic autoradiography has revealed characteristic labelling patterns in adrenal medullary cells following the intravenous administration of different catecholamines. The uptake patterns for [3H] dopa, [3H] dopamine, [3H] noradrenaline and [3H] adrenaline have been compared. In all cases A cells were more active than NA cells and cells situated in the zone nearest the cortex demonstrated a markedly higher rate of uptake than central cells. It was concluded that adjacent chromaffin cells with very similar morphology may differ as much as 50 fold in their capacities to incorporate exogenous amines. The adrenergic nature of the innervation of the vessels of the adrenal cortex and capsule in the mouse was confirmed.

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Kent, C., Coupland, R.E. On the uptake of exogenous catecholamines by adrenal chromaffin cells and nerve endings. Cell Tissue Res. 221, 371–383 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00216741

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