DOPAMINE-BETA-HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY IN NORMAL AND SYMPATHECTOMIZED CAROTID-BODIES
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1976
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Abstract
Normal carotid bodies excised from cats showed DBH [dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase] values of 5.04 .+-. 0.53 nmol [3H]octopamine formed/h per 100 mg tissue (.hivin.x .+-. S.E.). Values from sympathectomized carotid bodies were not significantly different. While the ganglio-glomerular nerves, providing the sympathetic innervation of the carotid bifurcation, had a high DBH level, this was low in the carotid sinus nerve, providing its sensory innervation. Glomeral DBH may be contained in a special type of noradrenergic glomus cells, distinct from the most common dopaminergic glomus cells.