Dopamine and Mast Cells in the Adipose Tissue of the Ox and the Effect of Noradrenaline and Dopamine Infusions on the Plasma Unesterified Fatty Acids

Abstract

SUMMARY The catecholamines of ox adipose tissue were extracted and separated using thin layer chromatography. The predominant catecholamine present has the same R f value as standard dopamine. Using a formaldehyde fluorescence technique it was shown that the tissue mast cells of ox adipose tissue contained a primary catecholamine which was thought to be dopamine. Using acridine orange stain the same cells were then shown to contain heparin. Intravenous infusion of 1 μg./kg. body weight)min. of noradrenaline caused an increase in the plasma unesterified fatty acids (UFA) from 8·2 to 36·0 mg./100 ml. and infusion of dopamine (5 μg./kg. body weight/min.) caused a rise in plasma UFA from 5·4 to 11·1 mg./100 ml. The action of bothnoradrenaline and dopamine on plasma UFA could be blocked by the β-blocking agent propranolol.