ROLES OF UPTAKE(1) AND CATECHOL-O-METHYLTRANSFERASE IN REMOVAL OF CIRCULATING CATECHOLAMINES IN THE RABBIT

Anesthetized rabbits were simultaneously infused with [H-3]norepinephrine (NE), [H-3]epinephrine (Epi), [H-3]dopamine (DA), and [H-3]isoproterenol (Iso), and their plasma clearances and fractional extractions across the systemic (ER(S)), as well as pulmonary (ER(P)), circulation were determined before and after blockade of uptake(1) by desipramine (2 mg/kg). Desipramine reduced the clearance of NE, Epi, and DA by 39, 13, and 14%, respectively, but did not affect Iso clearance. Similar results were obtained with respect to the effects of desipramine on ER(S). By contrast, desipramine reduced ER(P) of NE and DA (which for both amines was markedly lower than ER(S)) by > 70%; its effect on the very low ER(P) of Epi was not determinable. Comparison of the desipramine-sensitive components of ER(S) and ER(P) indicated that for uptake(1) NE was the preferred substrate in the systemic circulation and DA was preferred in the pulmonary circulation. In the absence and presence of desipramine, catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibition had no effect on the clearance of NE, Epi, and DA and decreased Iso clearance by 25%. Hence the contribution by uptake(1) to the removal of circulating catecholamines depends on the type of amine and on whether the systemic or pulmonary circulation is considered. Moreover catechol-O-methyltransferase does not appear to contribute to the clearance of NE, Epi, and DA but plays a definite role in the removal of circulating Iso.