Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Evidence for the Presence of Noradrenaline in Submicroscopic Structures of Adrenergic Axons

Abstract

THE presence of sympathomimetic activity in adrenergic nerve tissue has been demonstrated by several authors1. The active substance later was shown to possess the characteristic biological and chemical properties of noradrenaline2. A comparison of the relative contents of noradrenaline in splenic nerves (10–20 µgm. per gm.) and the spleen (2–4 µgm. per gm.) suggests that the transmitter is accumulated in the terminal parts of the nerves. Certain substances, such as acids, detergents and digitonin, which release catechol amines from adrenal medullary cell granules3, also release the adrenergic transmitter from a perfused organ4. Moreover, since the adrenergic nerves may be regarded as homologues of the adrenal medullary cells, it may be expected that their specific action substance is similarly stored.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gaddum, J. H., and Khayyal, M. A., quoted from Gaddum, “Gefässerweiternde Stoffe der Gewebe” (Georg Thieme, Leipzig, 1936). Lissák, K., Amer. J. Physiol., 125, 778 (1939).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Euler, U. S. v., Acta Physiol. Scand., 16, 63 (1948); 19, 207 (1949).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Hillarp, N.-Å., Lagerstedt, S., and Nilson, B., Acta Physiol. Scand., 29, 251 (1953). Hillarp, N.-Å., and Nilson, B., Acta Physiol. Scand., 31, Supp. 113, 79 (1954). Blaschko, H., and Welch, A. D., Arch. exp. Path. u. Pharmakol., 219, 17 (1953).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Eliasson, R., Euler, U. S. v., and Stjärne, L., Acta Physiol. Scand., Supp. 118 (1955). Euler, U. S. v., and Stjärne, L., Acta Physiol. Scand., 33, Supp. 118 (1955).

  5. Euler, U. S. v., Acta Physiol. Scand., 19, 85 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

EULER, U., HILLARP, NÅ. Evidence for the Presence of Noradrenaline in Submicroscopic Structures of Adrenergic Axons. Nature 177, 44–45 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/177044b0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/177044b0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing