[Changes in the level of catecholamines in norepinephrine-producing structures of the brain of rats subjected to immobilization].

Radioenzymatic assay was used to determine the catecholamine content in locus ceruleus and n. subceruleus in Wistar rats after 6.5-hour immobilization. During immobilization the arterial blood pressure was measured, whereas the state of the gastric mucosa was assessed after the decapitation. Locus ceruleus showed definite correlations of changes in the catecholamine content to the time course of the arterial pressure in the course of immobilization. Upon arterial pressure deviations towards one or another side there was an increase in the content of noradrenaline and dopamine, with this increase being more abrupt during blood pressure elevation. In relatively stable arterial pressure, the level of catecholamines in locus ceruleus does not virtually differ from the control one.