Release of catechol amines from the adrenal medulla by CCl4

Abstract

The single oral administration of an hepatotoxic dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) causes a decrease in the amount of apparent epinephrine and norepinephrine in the adrenal medulla after 20 hours. There is also a parallel increase in the wet weight of the adrenal gland. The ability of CCl₄ to induce catechol amine depletion has been demonstrated in both the rat and the rabbit. Adrenals of animals whose spinal cords have been transected prior to CCl₄ administration do not exhibit this decrease in catechol amine content. These results will be discussed in the light of an hypothesis that the toxic action of CCl₄ is an indirect one and may be mediated via a release of catechol amines.