Modification of alpha-2 presynaptic receptor activity and catecholamine release following chronic MAO inhibition

Neuronal release of noradrenaline from the isolated rat vas deferens has been studied following long-term MAO inhibition. Fractional release of 3H-noradrenaline in response to electrical field stimulation was reduced following chronic clorgyline treatment, but yohimbine equalised the fractional release to that of control animals. Endogenous release of noradrenaline was increased 1.8 fold in yohimbine-treated tissues from rats treated chronically with clorgyline, while tissue noradrenaline content increased 2.3 fold. Electrophysiological activity measured from the renal nerve of anaesthetised rats decreased following acute treatment with clorgyline. This effect was absent following pretreatment with yohimbine. From isolated tissue studies, there was no conclusive evidence for down-regulation of alpha 2-presynaptic receptors by long-term MAO inhibition. Acute MAO inhibition with clorgyline produces distinct physiological effects in the CNS, but not in peripheral sympathetic nerves.