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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1991; 98(6): 207-211
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1211119
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© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Assessment of Cold Induced Alterations in Catecholamine Turnover of Lean and Glutamate-treated Obese Rats

T. Arndt, A. Rehorek, F. Müller
  • Institute of Pathological Biochemistry (Head: Prof. Dr. sc. med. F. Müller, University of Leipzig, Leipzig/Germany)
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Publication History

1990

Publication Date:
16 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

Excretion of norepinephrine (NE) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) in urine as well as NE-turnover in tissues from lean and glutamate-treated obese rats were determined in warm and cold environment. NE- and VMA-excretion in urine was elevated by cold exposure, indicating an activation of the sympathetic nervous system in animals of both groups. Organspecific NE-turnover responds with higher sensitivity to cold in obese rats but without complete compensation in brown adipose tissue. Urinary NE- and VMA- excretion as well as NE-turnover in organs confirmed that cold exposure activates the sympathetic nervous system. Measurement of NE-turnover in tissues gives organspecific information regarding alterations in sympathetic activity during cold exposure, whereas excretion of NE and VMA in urine is a summarizing measure for the whole body turnover only.

Key words

Catecholamines - Sympathetic nervous activity - Cold - Obesity

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