EFFECT OF A RESERPINE-LIKE AGENT ON THE RELEASE AND METABOLISM OF [H-3] NA IN CELL-BODIES AND TERMINALS

1. The reserpine-like agent, Ro4-1284 (2-hydroxy-2ethyl-3-isobutyl-9,10-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7-hexahydro-11b-[H]benzo (a)quinolizine) releases [H-3]noradrenaline ([H-3]NA) from prelabelled superior cervical ganglion (cell bodies) and nictitating membrane (nerve endings) of the cat. 2. The potency of Ro4-1284 29.0 mu M was higher in the cell bodies than in the nerve endings. 3. In both tissues, exposure to the reserpine-like agent Ro4-1284 induced a selective increase in the spontaneous outflow of [H-3]DOPEG, while the [H-3]OMDA metabolites to the release induced by Ro4-1284 was very small. 4. The desamination is the preferential way of the metabolic inactivation of the [H-3]NA released by the reserpine-like agent in both parts of the noradrenergic neuron.