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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

A Convenient Method for Extraction and Analysis with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters and Their Metabolites
Published on: March 1, 2018
Estrogen-induced efflux of endogenous catecholamines from the hypothalamus in vitro
Abstract:
Short-term organ cultures of the intact hypothalamus were used to study the effects of various estrogenic compounds on catecholamine release. Estradiol-17 beta (0.1--20 microM) produced a concentration-dependent efflux of norepinephrine and dopamine while its biologically inactive enantiomer, estradiol-17 alpha, was ineffective at concentrations up to 20 microM. Diethylstilbestrol, a potent non-steroidal estrogen, was as effective as estradiol-17 beta in inducing catecholamine efflux. In contrast, weakly or non-estrogenic steroids such as estrone, estriol, and corticosterone were without effect. The time course of the estrogen-induced efflux of hypothalamic catecholamines was similar to that previously reported for the estrogen-induced accumulation of hypothalamic cAMP, providing further evidence for the involvement of catecholamines in this effect. Theses results suggest that estrogen may facilitate the release of catecholamines within the hypothalamus.
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