In vitro synthesis of noradrenaline in ganglia and salivary glands after in vivo preganglionic stimulation

Abstract

Abstract The extent of synthesis of [14C]noradrenaline from [14C]tyrosine and from [14C]dopamine was assessed in slices of superior cervical ganglia, representing cell bodies, and in submaxillary salivary glands, representing terminals of noradrenergic neurons of the cat. Immediately and 6 h after preganglionic stimulation for 3 h the rate of synthesis of noradrenaline from tyrosine and dopamine was not altered in ganglia. In salivary glands, however, synthesis of noradrenaline from both tyrosine and dopamine was increased at both times. These results suggest that acute periods of increased neural activity results in the acceleration of noradrenaline synthesis in the terminals but not in the cell bodies of noradrenergic neurons.