Distribution of [3H]deoxyglucose and [3H]dopamine in the adrenal medulla and nerve endings of the mouse.

Distribution of [3H]deoxyglucose- and [3H]dopamine-derived radioactivity in the mouse adrenal medulla and nerve endings in the capsule was examined by autoradiography. Nerve endings and medullary chromaffin cells exhibited an accumulation of [3H]dopamine but not [3H]deoxyglucose, indicating that their amine uptake system does not require high glucose consumption rate as is required to generate action potential. The study also indicated that uneven capacity in handling dopamine within a single type of chromaffin cell; peripheral cells incorporate more dopamine than those in the center, was not due to different rate of glucose utilization.