Noradrenaline/adrenergic system metabolism

The adrenergic system is an essential regulator that increases cardiovascular and metabolic capacity during situations ofstress, exercise, and disease. Nerve cells in the central and peripheral nervous system synthesize and secrete the neurotransmitters noradrenaline and adrenaline. In the peripheral nervous system, noradrenaline and adrenaline are released from two different sites noradrenaline is the principal neurotransmitter of sympathetic neurons that innervate many organs and tissues. In contrast, adrenaline, and to a lesser degree noradrenaline, is produced and secreted from the adrenal gland into the circulation (Fig. 1). Thus, the actions of noradrenaline are mostly restricted to the sites of release from sympathetic nerves, whereas adrenaline acts as a hormone to stimulate many different cells via the blood stream. 

Metabolism of adrenaline and noradrenaline 200 Commonly used drugs acting on the adrenergic system 201... 

Activity Like the chemically and physiologically related (R)- noradrenaline (/f)-A., as an adrenal hormone, increases the degradation of glycogen in the liver and of fat in adipose tissue as well as the oxidative metabolism in muscle. As neutrotransmitter of the adrenergic nerve system (R)-A. increases heart rate as a sympathicomimetic, constricts blood vessels of the skin, mucous membranes, and abdominal viscera, and dilates vessels of the skeletal musculature and liver. The relaxation of smooth musculature in the intestine or bronchi effected by (R)-A. leads to a reduction of peristalsis (intestinal movements) or to dilatation of the bronchi. (S)-A. is about 12 times less active than (R)-adrenaline. 

---