EFFECT OF NGF AND DEXAMETHASONE ON PHENYL‐ETHANOLAMINE‐N‐METHYL TRANSFERASE (PNMT) ACTIVITY IN NEONATAL RAT SUPERIOR CERVICAL GANGLIA

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Abstract
Abstract— Nerve‐growth factor (NGF) or dexamethasone administered to newborn rats result in increased levels of phenylethanolamine‐N‐methyl transferase (PNMT) activity in the superior cervical ganglia. Treatment with dexamethasone, but not NGF, also results in increased levels of epinephrine which parallel the increased PNMT in the ganglia. Dexamethasone slows the decrease in PNMT levels after cessation of NGF treatment, suggesting that dexamethasone decreases the rate of PNMT destruction. Examination of the ganglia by histofluorescence indicates that NGF increases the bundles of fibres while dexamethasone increases the number of small intensely fluorescent cells.