UPTAKE AND BIODISTRIBUTION OF DOPAMINE IN BONE-MARROW, SPLEEN AND LYMPH-NODES OF NORMAL AND TUMOR-BEARING MICE

Significant labelled dopamine uptake was evident in bone marrow, splee n and lymph nodes of normal murine hosts-in vivo. On the contrary anim als bearing solid Ehrlich carcinoma, H-3-dopamine uptake was significa ntly reduced. The tumor tissue itself incorporated only insignificant amount of dopamine. Bone marrow cells, splenocytes and lymphocytes fro m lymph nodes showed specific uptake of this monoamine. At present the peripheral role of dopamine in the regulation of heart and kidney fun ctions are well documented and utilized clinically for treatment of co ngestive heart and renal failure. The present result of specific dopam ine uptake by bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes and alterations foll owing tumor growth where hematopoesis and immune functions are disrupt ed, strengthens our previous idea that dopamine might also influence t he functions of these peripheral organs. Knowledge of this possible ef fect of DA on these peripheral organs may be of future clinical signif icance in the management of hematological and immune abnormalities.