Noradrenaline neurons distribution

Hi-receptors in the adrenal medulla stimulates the release of the two catecholamines noradrenaline and adrenaline as well as enkephalins. In the heart, histamine produces negative inotropic effects via Hr receptor stimulation, but these are normally masked by the positive effects of H2-receptor stimulation on heart rate and force of contraction. Histamine Hi-receptors are widely distributed in human brain and highest densities are found in neocortex, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, thalamus and posterior hypothalamus where they predominantly excite neuronal activity. Histamine Hrreceptor stimulation can also activate peripheral sensory nerve endings leading to itching and a surrounding vasodilatation ( flare ) due to an axonal reflex and the consequent release of peptide neurotransmitters from collateral nerve endings. 

In contrast, much is known about the catabolism of catecholamines. Adrenaline (epinephrine) released into the plasma to act as a classical hormone and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) from the parasympathetic nerves are substrates for two important enzymes monoamine oxidase (MAO) found in the mitochondria of sympathetic neurones and the more widely distributed catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT). Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) undergoes re-uptake from the synaptic cleft by high-affrnity transporters and once within the neurone may be stored within vesicles for reuse or subjected to oxidative decarboxylation by MAO. Dopamine and serotonin are also substrates for MAO and are therefore catabolized in a similar fashion to adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), the final products being homo-vanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) respectively. 

Several studies suggest CBi receptor activation has effects on bladder, vas deferens, and uterine function, in both normal and pathophysiological states (Nicolau et al. 1978 Pertwee et al. 1992 Pertwee and Fernando 1996 Dmitrieva and Berkley 2002 Farquhar-Smith et al. 2002). While CBi receptors are expressed on tyrosine hydroxylase (noradrenaline)-positive pelvic neurons (Pan et al. 1998), detailed studies on CBi receptor distribution to these organs remains to be performed. 

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