PLASMA CATECHOL AMINE LEVELS AND ADRENAL ASCORBIC ACID CONTENT FOLLOWINGβ-MERCAPTOETHYLAMINE (MEA) ADMINISTRATION

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Abstract
The effect of β-mercaptoethylamine (MEA) on the peripheral plasma catechol amine level and the adrenal ascorbic acid content of rats was studied. Peripheral plasma catechol amine concentrations were determined at 10, 30 and 60 minutes following intraperitoneal injections of 125 mg./kg. of MEA. An increase of plasma epinephrine concentration occurred 10 minutes after the administration of MEA and this elevation persisted throughout the one hour observation period. Similar results were obtained after the administration of cystamine, the dimer form of MEA. The I.P. administration of 125 mg./kg. of MEA to intact rats caused a significant decrease in adrenal ascorbic acid content at the end of one hour as compared to saline control rats. However, MEA did not have any effect on the concentration of adrenal ascorbic acid of hypophysectomized rats. These results indicate that the decrease of adrenal ascorbic acid of intact rats following MEA treatment is not due to a direct action of the chemical on the adrenal gland as suggested by some investigators, but by action through the hypophysis.