Adrenaline release by the human heart

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 1991 Feb;18(2):67-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.1991.tb01408.x.

Abstract

1. Radiotracer methods were used to measure the rates of regional release of adrenaline and noradrenaline to plasma in humans. 2. No release of adrenaline could be detected from the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys at rest. 3. With the relatively mild activation of the cardiac sympathetic outflow associated with mental challenge and isometric exercise, cardiac adrenaline release remained undetectable. 4. During supine bicycle exercise, which increased cardiac noradrenaline release 10-20 fold, to a mean value of 128 ng/min, cardiac adrenaline release averaged 1.63 ng/min. 5. Whether neuronal adrenaline release of this degree in the heart is sufficient to facilitate noradrenaline release and to augment sympathetically mediated cardiac responses remains to be tested.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Epinephrine / blood
  • Epinephrine / metabolism*
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Heart / innervation*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / innervation
  • Liver / innervation
  • Lung / innervation
  • Mental Processes / physiology
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Tritium

Substances

  • Tritium
  • Epinephrine