Characterization of the in vitro uptake of monoamines into brain microvessels.

The ability of brain microvessels to take up and metabolize transmitter monoamines (DA, NA, A and 5-HT) was studied in tissues from several species (rat, guinea-pig, cat, dog, baboon, man) in vitro. Following incubation, slices were analyzed by fluorescence histochemistry and isolated microvessels by measurement of radioactivity from tritiated amine. Provided the MAO activity was inhibited a strong accumulation, similar for all animals tested, occurred in the wall (endothelial cells and pericytes) of capillaries and venules--but not in larger vessels--of all species. The degree of amine uptake and accumulation and the conditions under which it was inhibited suggested that it reflected a saturable, energy-dependent process, with characteristics of both the extraneuronal and neuronal type of uptake processes. The mechanism may serve as an inactivation of transmitter monoamines at the blood-brain interphase, thereby assisting in the control of transmitter levels in the cerebral extracellular compartment.