The role of the brain in the regulation of peripheral noradrenaline-producing organs in rats during morphogenesis

Abstract

This work represents one part of our research project, in which we try to prove, that in the perinatal period exist a humoral regulation between noradrenaline producing organs. In this study we used a rat model that allowed blocking synthesis of noradrenalin in the brain and evaluated gene expression and protein levels of noradrenaline key synthesis enzymes such as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) in peripheral noradrenaline producing organs. As a result we showed increased gene expression of TH and DBH in adrenal glands. This data indicate that if neonatal rat brain lacks an ability to produce noradrenaline, then as a compensatory process synthesis of noradrenaline increased in adrenal glands, so that the concentration levels in blood are kept at normal levels. This indicates that there is a humoral regulation between brain and adrenal glands which is not fully understood yet.