The Influence of Rotatory Movement on the Tissue Catecholamines in Rats

ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to examine the possible relationship between the function of the labyrinth and the role of the sympathetic nervous system In experimental motion sickness produced by rotatory movement(8O r.p.m.). The catecholamines in the brain, the heart and the adrenal gland of rats were rapidly reduced to one half of normal values following exposure to rotatory movement. The pretreatment with streptomycin and dramamine completely prevented the depletion by the rotatory movement of the catecholamines in the brain, the heart and the adrenal gland, but scopolamine did not prevent the decrease. Bretylium or chlorpromazine signifcantly inhibited reduction of the catechol-amines in both of the brain and the heart. However they did not influence the decrease in the adrenal gland. The reduction of the tissue catecholamines in rotatory movement is presumed to be caused largely by activation of the sympathetic nervous system mediated through labyrinthine stimulation.