Release of catechol amines from the adrenal medulla by CCl4

Abstract

The single oral administration of an hepatotoxic dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) causes a decrease in the amount of apparent epinephrine and norepinephrine in the adrenal medulla after 20 hours. There is also a parallel increase in the wet weight of the adrenal gland. The ability of CCl4 to induce catechol amine depletion has been demonstrated in both the rat and the rabbit. Adrenals of animals whose spinal cords have been transected prior to CCl4 administration do not exhibit this decrease in catechol amine content. These results will be discussed in the light of an hypothesis that the toxic action of CCl4 is an indirect one and may be mediated via a release of catechol amines.