Changes of Adrenaline Concentration in Various Organs of the Rat during and Following Four Hours' Swimming

Abstract

Changes in the concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline in various organs of the rat were examined during and following four hours' swimming in 25°C water. During the period of swimming, the adrenaline concentration increased time-dependently in the heart, spleen, kidney, liver, lung, abdominal wall muscle and thigh muscle, whereas the noradrenaline concentration tended to decrease. Three hours after the end of swimming, adrenaline concentrations in the peripheral organs were reduced, but were still higher than those of the control group. The adrenaline value returned to normal within 24 hours. From these results, adrenaline concentrations in the heart and various other peripheral organs are considered to increase gradually with the duration of swimming and to be considerably high for at least several hours after the cessation of swimming.