Some characteristics of the adrenergic neurone blocking action of dehydroemetine.

The uptake of dehydroemetine by adrenergic neurones was studied indirectly by testing the ability of various procedures to prevent or reverse adrenergic neurone blockade in the periarterially stimulated rabbit isolated ileum. Adrenergic neurone blockade was prevented but not reversed by equilibration with dehydroemetine at low temperature (0 degrees C), in the absence of sodium or in the presence of tetrodotoxin. Noradrenaline, cocaine, potassium deprivation and potassium excess did not modify the adrenergic neurone blocking action of dehydroemetine.