Summary
The accumulation of noradrenaline proximal to a constriction applied to cat hypogastric nerves in vitro has been studied in preparations treated with tetrabenazine. The accumulation of amine was almost completely abolished by the drug. Evidence is presented which suggests that tetrabenazine exerts a direct noradrenaline-depleting effect on the intraneuronal storage vesicles. Recovery of noradrenaline levels after the removal of the drug was rapid and was effected by the biosynthesis of new noradrenaline within the axon.
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We thank Professor R. Barer and Dr. P. Banks for their help in preparing this paper. Financial support from the Wellcome Trust, The Smith, Kline and French Foundation, M.R.C. and S.R.C. is acknowledged with gratitude. We would like to thank Dr. C.W. Potter for supplies of Eagles M.E.M. and Mr. T. Owen for technical assistance. Thanks are due to Roche Products Ltd. for supplies of drugs. D.R.T. was supported in this work by a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust. R.T. is in receipt of an S.R.C. Postgraduate Studentship.
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Tomlinson, D.R., Till, R.J.L. & Mayor, D. The effect of tetrabenazine on the accumulation of noradrenaline in constricted postganglionic sympathetic nerves in vitro . Cell Tissue Res. 160, 495–504 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225766
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225766