Influence of plasma substitutes on the concentration of tissue catecholamines in rats.

The concentration of catecholamines was determined in the brain, heart and adrenals in normovolaemic and hypovolaemic rats after reinfusion of the lost blood and after infusion of equivalent volumes of plasma substitutes (dextran and modified gelatins). After infusion of these preparations in normovolaemic rats noradrenaline concentration increased significantly in the myocardium. It was found also that restoration of normal blood volume by infusion of plasma substitutes prevented changes in catecholamine concentrations induced by hypovolaemia in the brain but not in the adrenals.