Stressor Specificity of Peripheral Catecholaminergic Activation

• Published in: Advances in Pharmacology Vol. 42; pp. 556 - 560
• Main Authors: Kvetňanský, R., Pacák, K., Sabban, E.L., Kopin, I.J., Goldstein, D.S.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 1997
• ISBN: 9780120329434; 0120329433
• ISSN: 1054-3589; 1557-8925
• DOI: 10.1016/S1054-3589(08)60811-X

Stress has been defined as a multihormonal response pattern organized in a rather specific or selective manner, depending on the particular stimulus. The weight of evidence supports the view that different neuroendocrine systems are activated specifically by different stressors. Some studies have shown that even components of the same system might be activated differentially. For instance, the two branches of the sympathoadrenal system (SAS)—the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic nerves—can be activated independently by different stressors. The studies have been based on determinations of plasma epinephrine (Epi) and norepinephrine (NE) levels. Measurements of plasma levels of the catecholamine (CA) precursor dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and of catecholamine metabolites give better information about mechanism of sympathoadrenal activation. The aim of the present chapter is to examine activation of the two components of the SAS by simultaneous measuring the adrenomedullary (AM) and sympathoneural responses during exposure to different intensities of various stressors. Plasma levels of NE, Epi, dopamine (DA), their precursor DOPA, and the metabolites dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) are assessed, as well as gene expression of the CA biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the adrenal medulla.