ω-Conotoxin GVIA and desipramine insensitive norepinephrine efflux from cardiac sympathetic nerve terminal

Using dialysis technique, prominent accumulation of norepinephrine (NE) in the myocardial interstitial space was observed under local administration of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (pargyline, 10 mM), and a vesicle uptake inhibitor (reserpine, 10 μM). Accumulation of NE in the myocardial interstitial space was associated with a reduction of dihydroxyphenylglycol levels. Pretreatment with ω-conotoxin GVIA (10 μM) or desipramine (10 μM) did not suppress this response. A brisk increase in dialysate NE levels might occur as a consequence of exocytotic or neurotransporter insensitive efflux of NE.