Hydrocortisone-mediated increase of norepinephrine uptake by brain slices.

Slices of cerebral cortex from the adult rat were incubated with and without hydrocortisone succinate, and their subsequent uptake of isotopically labeled norepinephrine was measured. Preincubation with hydrocortisone resulted in a statistically significant increase in the amount of exogenous norepinephrine taken up by the slices. Preincubation with corresponding concentrations of sodium succinate was without effect. The principal effect of the hydrocortisone-mediated increase in norepinephrine concentration is apparently on an active transport mechanism.