EFFECT OF PENTOBARBITAL ANAESTHESIA ON TURNOVER OF [3H] NORADRENALINE IN PERIPHERAL TISSUES OF CATS

The effect of pentobarbital anaesthesia on the turnover of dl-[3H]-noradrenaline in heart, iris and anterior tibialis has been studied in cats. In comparison with results obtained in unanaesthetised animals, a four-fold decrease in the rate of [3H]-noradrenaline turnover was observed in cats under pentobarbital anaesthesia. In addition, it was noted that the body temperature of the anaesthetised animals fell steadily during the course of experiment. The decrease in [3H]-noradrenaline turnover seen during pentobarbital anaesthesia was reversed when the body temperature of the anaesthetised animals was maintained at 38-40°, suggesting that the effect of pentobarbital on [3H]-noradrenaline turnover seen in these experiments was a consequence of the decrease in body temperature. © 1968.