MEASUREMENT OF CATECHOLAMINES IN MOUSE BONE-MARROW BY MEANS OF HPLC WITH ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION

Background and Objective. Noradrenergic innervation is present in the bone marrow and adrenergic agents can modulate hematopoiesis. However, since no data an available concerning endogenous catecholamines at th is level, we investigated their presence and origin. Methods. Using a high performance liquid chromatographic method, we have and measured e ndogenous catecholamines in bone marrow from normal, 6-OHDA-treated an d pargyline-treated mice. Results. Noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopam ine levels were, respectively, 2806.74+/-408.85, 803.37+/-87.66 and 27 4.47+/-51.54 pg/g of tissue. Noradrenaline levels were lower after 6-O HDA (1130.47+/-142.73 pg/g of tissue, P <0.01 vs. control values) a hi gher after pargyline (4122.62+/-509.54 pg/g of tissue, p < 0.05). None of these treatments significantly affected adrenaline or dopamine con tent. Interpretation and Conclusions. Noradrenaline in the bone marrow originates mainly from sympathetic nerve endings and is metabolized t hrough specific enzymatic pathways. Adrenaline and dopamine may origin ate from other sources, such as the systemic circulation, (C) 1997, Fe rrata Storti Foundation.