Unexpected increase in catecholamines in adrenals of rats treated with 3-deazaadenosine.

Using electrochemical detection, 3-deazaadenosine, a proximal inhibitor of methylation via the inhibition of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, perturbed the metabolism of catecholamines in the adrenals of rats. In adrenals of rats treated with 3-deazaadenosine, both norepinephrine and epinephrine increased significantly by about two-fold. 3-Deazaadenosine may inhibit the release of catecholamines from the adrenals by affecting membrane functions of the adrenals.