Evidence for the Occurrence of Nor-Epinephrine in the Adrenal Medulla

Goldenberg, Marcel; Faber, Mogens; Alston, Elizabeth J.; Chargaff, Erwin

doi:10.1126/science.109.2839.534

Cited by 150 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…grade epinephrine has revealed that the nor-epinephrine content of epinephrine from animal sources may be as high as 18.5% (19); such contaminated epinephrine may have been used in earlier studies. Although the quantities of nor-epinephrine contained in natural epinephrine do not appear to alter significantly the hemodynamic actions of the latter drug (20), one cannot be assured such is the case in relation to cerebrovascular actions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

THE EFFECTS OF l-EPINEPHRINE AND l-NOR-EPINEPHRINE UPON CEREBRAL CIRCULATION AND METABOLISM IN MAN 1

King¹,

Sokoloff²,

Wechsler³

1952

J. Clin. Invest.

217

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Studies comparing the effects of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine, the two sympathomimetic amines which occur naturally in the mammalian body, show that these two closely related substances differ in many of their pharmacodynamic properties. The metabolic rate in man has been shown to increase after epinephrine (1, 2), whereas there is no significant change produced by nor-epinephrine (2). Systemic administration of epinephrine to man has been shown to result in a decrease in total peripheral resistance (1, 3), indicating that vasodilatation has occurred in many portions of the body; in contrast, nor-epinephrine appears to be predominantly vasoconstrictor in its action, for total peripheral resistance is increased (3).These differences may be manifestations of the specific functions which these substances perform in the body; von Euler (4) believes that nor-epinephrine is the sympathetic mediator for general purposes, while epinephrine acts as an adjuvant for more special functions, especially in regard to metabolic actions.In view of the importance of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine in physiological processes, their occurrence in pheochromocytomas, their use as therapeutic agents, and the possible relation of nor-epinephrine to essential hypertension (3), information regarding their effect on cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism is desirable. A preliminary report by Sensenbach, Madison, and Ochs (5) indicates that nor-epinephrine is a powerful cerebral vasoconstrictor. The animal studies upon epinephrine have yielded conflicting results (6-8). Qualitative measurements of cerebral blood flow in man by means of a thermoelectric

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

THE EFFECTS OF l-EPINEPHRINE AND l-NOR-EPINEPHRINE UPON CEREBRAL CIRCULATION AND METABOLISM IN MAN 1

King¹,

Sokoloff²,

Wechsler³

1952

J. Clin. Invest.

217

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The pharmacological differences between the naturally occurring hormones of the adrenal medulla, epinephrine and nor-epinephrine, have been stressed by several investigators (7,(17)(18)(19). The former, within physiological range, is an overall vasodilator, the increase in blood pressure being secondary to increased cardiac output.…”

Section: Commentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although long suspected, it has only recently been proven that the adrenal medulla secretes two hormones, epinephrine and its non-methylated analogue, nor-epinephrine (arterenol, 1-[3, 4-dehydroxyphenyl] 2-aminoethanol) (7,8). Assays on U. S. P. epinephrine reference standards, and U. S. P. commercial epinephrine revealed a nor-epinephrine content varying from 10 to 35%, the average being 15%o (7-9).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the Anterior Pituitary-Adrenal Cortical Stimulating Effect of U.S.P. Epinephrine, Synthetic L-Epinephrine, and Nor-Epinephrine 1

Madison¹

1950

J. Clin. Invest.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Since methylation occurs readily in the body, it has been suggested that nor-epinephrine functions chiefly as a precursor to epinephrine (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Nevertheless, it possesses potent pharmacologic properties which differ in many respects from those of epinephrine (6)(7)(8)(9).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF l-NOR-EPINEPHRINE, SYNTHETIC l-EPINEPHRINE, AND U.S.P. EPINEPHRINE UPON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM IN MAN 1

Sensenbach¹,

Madison²,

Ochs³

1953

J. Clin. Invest.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nor-epinephrine, a pressor amine known to exist normally in the mammalian body, is identical with epinephrine except for the absence of a methyl group in its chemical structure. Since methylation occurs readily in the body, it has been suggested that nor-epinephrine functions chiefly as a precursor to epinephrine (1-5). Nevertheless, it possesses potent pharmacologic properties which differ in many respects from those of epinephrine (6-9). Epinephrine raises systolic blood pressure, increases cardiac output and accelerates the heart rate; it constricts blood vessels in certain areas of the circulatory bed, dilates them in others, with an over-all effect of dilatation and a decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance. Nor-epinephrine increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure, has little or no effect on cardiac output and decreases cardiac rate. It constricts blood vessels in all areas of the circulation in which its effect has been studied.Little is known, however, of the effects of norepinephrine and epinephrine upon the cerebral circulation in man. A clear understanding of their effects on this important segment of the circulation should provide information bearing on a number of physiologic, pathologic, and therapeutic questions.

show abstract

Evidence for the Occurrence of Nor-Epinephrine in the Adrenal Medulla

Cited by 150 publications

References 7 publications

THE EFFECTS OF l-EPINEPHRINE AND l-NOR-EPINEPHRINE UPON CEREBRAL CIRCULATION AND METABOLISM IN MAN 1

THE EFFECTS OF l-EPINEPHRINE AND l-NOR-EPINEPHRINE UPON CEREBRAL CIRCULATION AND METABOLISM IN MAN 1

Comparison of the Anterior Pituitary-Adrenal Cortical Stimulating Effect of U.S.P. Epinephrine, Synthetic L-Epinephrine, and Nor-Epinephrine 1

A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF l-NOR-EPINEPHRINE, SYNTHETIC l-EPINEPHRINE, AND U.S.P. EPINEPHRINE UPON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM IN MAN 1

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About