A Comparison of the Subcellular Sites of Action of Reserpine and Benzquinamide

P. L undborg and S titzel , R. E. A comparison of the subcellular sites of action of reserpine and benzquinamide . Acta physiol. scand. 1968. 72 . 53–61. Both reserpinc and benzquinamide were capable of impairing the in uitro uptake of C 14 ‐adrenaline by bovine and rabbit adreno‐medullary granules. however, they differed markedly in their relative potency. The in vivo studies using mice and the in vivo ‐ in vitro studies employing rabbits indicated that the time course of granular blockade after reserpine and benzquinamide injections also differed. Benzquinamide was shorter‐acting and less potent than was reserpine. Subcellular distribution studies indicated that while both drugs could impair the in vivo uptake of 3 H‐α‐methyl noradrenaline, only reserpine administration resulted in both an increase in the amount of 3 H‐α‐methyl noradrenaline found in the supernatant fraction and an increase in the amount of 3 H‐α‐methyl normetanephrine recovered from the whole heart. It is concluded that while reserpine and benzquinamide have many qualitatively similar effects on amine uptake and depletion, differences in their actions on the subcellular level can be uncovered.