Circulating Catecholamines: Control of Release and Functions

许多内分泌腺和神经元释放复杂的化合物，这些化合物包含一个“主”分泌物和一些共分泌物，而这些分泌物的作用却鲜为人知。对这些共分泌及其功能的鉴定是非常紧迫的：(1)共分泌导致的神经元和内分泌腺功能障碍可能涉及到迄今尚未解释的病理；(2)对共分泌的了解可能为神经和内分泌疾病的新治疗铺平道路。本研究的目的是阐明共分泌在释放应激激素肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素以及它们可能的拮抗剂多巴胺中的作用。血浆肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素来源于嗜铬细胞。它们的释放似乎(A)由嗜铬细胞本身释放的共同分泌物的鸡尾酒控制，(B)由支配嗜铬细胞的纤维释放的鸡尾酒控制。血浆多巴胺来源于大血管壁，其释放受到肾上腺素、去甲肾上腺素和阿片类物质的影响。利用经济高效的模型系统，鳗鱼的嗜铬细胞和血管，研究将集中在共同分泌，如信使多肽，胺和内源性可待因和吗啡。

Many endocrine glands and neurons release complex compounds that contain a "main" secretion, and co-secretions whose roles are poorly understood. The identification of these co-secretions and their functions is of great urgency: (1) malfunctions of neurons and endocrine glands due to co-secretions could be involved in so far unexplained pathologies; (2) an understanding of the co-secretions may pave the way the new treatments of neural and endocrine diseases. The goal of the present investigation is to clarify the roles of co-secretions in the release of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, and of their suspected antagonist dopamine. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline derive from chromaffin cells. It appears that their release is controlled (a) by a cocktail of co-secretions released by the chromaffin cells themselves, and (b) by a cocktail released by the fibers that innervate the chromaffin cells. Plasma dopamine derives from the wall of large blood vessels, and its release is affected by adrenaline, noradrenaline and opioid substances. Using economic and highly efficient model systems, the chromaffin cells and blood vessels of the eel, the studies will focus on co-secretions such as messenger peptides, amines and endogenous codeine and morphine.