The first-pass pulmonary extraction values of N-lsopropyl-123l-p-lodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) in pretreated dogs decreases from 90 to 62% as the amount of propranolol increases from 0 to 20 mg. The first-pass pulmonary extraction values of 123I-IMP in dogs with a simultaneous bolus injection of propranolol decreases from 90 to 62% as the amount of propranolol increases from 0 to 10 mg. The pulmonary extraction of 123I-IMP with a simultaneous bolus injection of ketamine and 123I-IMP decreases from 90 to 64% as the ketamine dose increases from 0 to 100 mg. These results suggest that the pulmonary uptake of 123I-IMP may be at least partially mediated by receptors. They also indicate that endothelial metabolic cell function may be a useful index of early lung pathology. Furthermore, studies of the degree of lung uptake may be a sensitive index of pathologic states in which alterations of amine binding sites have occurred.