Direct recording of total catecholamine secretion from the adrenal gland in response to splanchnic nerve stimulation in rats.

A new method for the continuous recording of catecholamine (CA) secretion from the adrenal gland in rats in response to splanchnic nerve stimulation was developed. The method consists of in situ perfusion of the adrenal gland and direct continuous recording of released total CA by an electrochemical detector (ECD). Splanchnic nerve stimulation evoked current responses in a stimulus frequency dependent manner. The amounts of total CA released was linearly related to peak amplitude and to the total integrated output current for various current responses, indicating that the ECD current response in this system represents a highly reliable parameter of the secretory process in the adrenal gland. This system has the advantage of directly and continuously monitoring total CA secretion from the adrenal gland in situ.