Particle-bound and Free Catecholamines in Dog Hearts and the Uptake of Injected Norepinephrine

Abstract

SUBMICROSCOPIC structures containing catecholamines have been found by high-speed centrifugation of homogenates or pressed juice of adrenal medulla^1–3, splenic nerves^4–6 and brain⁷. A granular fraction containing catecholamines has been isolated from the pressed juice of cyclostome hearts⁸. It was the purpose of this investigation to see whether also in mammalian hearts the catecholamines are stored in a particle-bound state; the question was also examined whether injected norepinephrine is taken up by sub-microscopic cell elements. This is of interest since Raab and Gigee⁹ reported a specific avidity of the heart muscle to absorb and store catecholamines.