Evidence for adrenergic alpha receptor depressant activity in the heart

Variational finite element approach to study the thermal stress in multi-layered human head

The human head is one of the most sensitive parts of human body due to the fact that it contains brain. Any abnormality in the functioning of brain may disturb the entire system. One of the disturbing factors of brain is thermal stress. Thus, it is imperative to study the effects of thermal stress on human head at various environmental conditions. For the thermoregulation process, the human head is considered to be a structure of four layers viz.; brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), skull and scalp. A mathematical model has been formulated to estimate the variation of temperature at these layers. The model is based on radial form of bio-heat equation with the appropriate boundary conditions and has been solved by variational finite element method. The rate of metabolic heat generation and thermal conductivity in this study have been assumed to be heterogeneous. The results were compared with the experimental studies for their coincidence and it has been observed theoretically and experimentally that the human head has greater resistance to compete with the thermal stress up to large extent.

Alpha1-adrenenoceptor stimulation inhibits cardiac excitation-contraction coupling through tyrosine phosphorylation of beta1-adrenoceptor

Adrenoceptor stimulation is a key determinant of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling mainly through the activation of serine/threonine kinases. However, little is known about the role of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) activated by adrenergic signaling on cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. A cytoplasmic tyrosine residue in β1-adrenoceptor is estimated to regulate Gs-protein binding affinity from crystal structure studies, but the signaling pathway leading to the phosphorylation of these residues is unknown. Here we show α1-adrenergic signaling inhibits β-adrenergically activated Ca(2+) current, Ca(2+) transients and contractile force through phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in β1-adrenoceptor by PTK. Our results indicate that inhibition of β-adrenoceptor-mediated Ca(2+) elevation by α1-adrenoceptor-PTK signaling serves as an important regulatory feedback mechanism when the catecholamine level increases to protect cardiomyocytes from cytosolic Ca(2+) overload.

Cardiovascular effects of topical ophthalmic 10% phenylephrine in dogs

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of topical ophthalmic 10% phenylephrine on systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse rate (PR) and electrocardiogram (ECG) in dogs.

ANIMALS STUDIED

Nine clinically normal dogs.

PROCEDURE

Arterial catheters were placed in the dorsal pedal artery of awake dogs and ECG leads were attached. After a 15-min acclimatization period, baseline PR, SAP, DAP and MAP were recorded every 5 min for 20 min. Two treatment groups (eight dogs each) were studied. Group I: one drop of phenylephrine was placed in each eye once. Group II: one drop of phenylephrine was placed in each eye three times at 5-min intervals. Following treatment, PR, SAP, DAP and MAP were recorded every 5 min for 90 min. The mixed procedure of the SAS system was used to perform a repeated measures analysis of variance to test for linear and quadratic trends across time.

RESULTS

Group I: There was a significant quadratic decrease in PR across time (P = 0.0051). Systolic arterial pressure increased linearly with time (P = 0.0002), MAP increased linearly with time (P = 0.0131), and DAP increased linearly with time (P = 0.0001). Group II: There was a significant quadratic decrease in PR across time (P = 0.0023). There was a significant quadratic increase in SAP (P = 0.0324), MAP (P = 0.0103) and DAP (P = 0.0131) across time.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical ophthalmic application of 10% phenylephrine in normal dogs results in elevation of arterial blood pressure and reflex bradycardia.

alpha 1-Adrenoceptor stimulation inhibits the isoproterenol-induced effects on myocardial contractility and protein phosphorylation

In the present study the influence of alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation on the beta-adrenoceptor agonist-induced increases in contractile parameters and protein phosphorylation was determined in isolated perfused hearts and isolated cardiac myocytes, respectively. Methoxamine inhibited the isoproterenol-induced increases in left ventricular pressure and heart rate dose dependently up to 90% and 75%, respectively; the EC50 of this antiadrenergic effect was 4.4 microM. The alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin (1 microM), greatly diminished methoxamine's inhibitory action, confirming the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated mechanism. The inotropic effect of glucagon was inhibited by methoxamine in a similar manner. Radioligand binding assays with [3H]dihydroalprenolol demonstrated that the antiadrenergic action of methoxamine is not due to an unspecific beta-adrenoceptor blocking property. In an additional experimental series the effects of methoxamine and isoproterenol on the protein phosphorylation pattern of isolated cardiac myocytes were investigated. Isoproterenol increased the phosphorylation state of five proteins (6-kDa, phospholamban; 15-kDa; 28-kDa, troponin I; 97-kDa; 140-kDa) while in the experiments with methoxamine the 15-kDa protein was the only phosphorylated substrate. In the presence of methoxamine the isoproterenol-induced phosphorylation of phospholamban, troponin I and the 97-kDa and 140-kDa protein was markedly inhibited while the phosphorylation state of the 15-kDa protein remained unaltered. The present study clearly demonstrated that alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation potently inhibits the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated changes in contractile force and phosphorylation of key regulatory proteins, most likely through modulation of cAMP metabolism.

Effect of continuous enhanced vagal tone on atrioventricular nodal and sinoatrial nodal function in humans

A constant intravenous infusion of phenylephrine (0.74 +/- 0.41 micrograms/kg/min) was given to 10 patients to cause a continuous augmentation in reflex vagal tone. After the infusion, the diastolic blood pressure increased from 76 +/- 7 to 89 +/- 11 mm Hg (p less than 0.01). The sinus cycle length and atrial-His (AH) interval were measured, and incremental atrial pacing was performed before and during phenylephrine infusion until atrioventricular (AV) nodal block was achieved. For each patient, the AV nodal function curve (i.e., the AH interval plotted as a function of the atrial pacing cycle length) was compared during both the control state and phenylephrine infusion; the AH intervals during each condition at chosen short (AHS) and long (AHL) cycle lengths were compared. The sinus cycle length increased during phenylephrine infusion from 941 +/- 294 to 1,115 +/- 347 msec (p = 0.013). The AH interval during sinus rhythm was not significantly prolonged (77 versus 82 msec, p = NS). The shortest atrial pacing cycle length yielding 1:1 AV nodal conduction increased during phenylephrine infusion from 412 +/- 120 to 575 +/- 211 msec (p less than 0.01). Of note, the degree of sinus cycle length prolongation did not correlate with the degree of prolongation in the shortest atrial pacing cycle length yielding 1:1 AV nodal conduction. The AV nodal function curve was shifted markedly to the right and only slightly upward.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Function of myocardial alpha-adrenoceptors

In addition to beta-adrenoceptors (beta ARs), cardiac myocytes of animals and man possess alpha 1ARs, but not alpha 2ARs. Norepinephrine and epinephrine have a higher affinity for myocardial alpha 1ARs than for beta ARs. Unlike beta AR stimulation, myocardial alpha 1AR stimulation does not increase the slow inward current. The alpha 1AR-mediated positive inotropic effect seen in isolated heart preparations appears to involve increased Ca sensitivity of myofibrils and production of inositol triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG), but the functions of IP3 and DAG are not clear. Myocardial alpha 1AR stimulation reduces rate of isolated atria and Purkinje fibers and lengthens refractory period and action potential duration. Hypoxia increases alpha 1AR density in cardiomyocytes. alpha 1AR-mediated arrhythmias occur in isolated Purkinje fibers during hypoxia, following infarction, and in the presence of Ba2+ or high Ca2+. In animals, coronary artery occlusion and/or reperfusion increase myocardial alpha 1AR density and responsiveness, and alpha AR blocking drugs attenuate arrhythmias. However, an antiarrhythmic effect of alpha AR blocking drugs mediated by action on coronary vascular alpha ARs cannot be excluded. Presently available drugs do not differentiate between myocardial and vascular alpha ARs and thus affect the coronary and systemic circulations and, indirectly, the heart. Additional myocardial alpha 1AR-mediated effects include production of cardiac hypertrophy, stimulation of glucose uptake and phosphofructokinase and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity, and release of atrial natriuretic peptide.

Evidence for postsynaptic alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors mediating catecholamine-induced negative chronotropic ventricular responses in the conscious dog

1. Adrenaline (0.25-1 microgram/kg), noradrenaline (0.125-0.5 microgram/kg) and dopamine (25-100 micrograms/kg) given in the conscious dog with chronic atrio-ventricular block after beta-adrenoceptor blockade, increased ventricular cycle length (VCL) and mean blood pressure (MBP). 2. Atropine (muscarinic receptor blocker) reduced the catecholamine-induced effects on VCL without modifying their hypertensive effects. 3. Phenoxybenzamine or phentolamine (alpha-adrenoceptor blockers) only decreased the effects of adrenaline on VCL but suppressed those of noradrenaline and dopamine. They only reduced the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline on MBP, but reversed that of dopamine. 4. Yohimbine (alpha-adrenoceptor blocker) suppressed the catecholamine-induced effects on VCL, and reduced strongly the hypertensive effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline and reversed that of dopamine. 5. Thus, these results show the existence of negative chronotropic postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors in the ventricles.

Role of sympathoadrenomedullary system in cardiovascular response to stress in rats

Sympathetic nerve and/or adrenal medulla contributions to stress-induced cardiovascular responses were investigated by factoring out their influence using adrenal demedullation (DMED) and/or chemical sympathectomy with guanethidine (GUAN). Rats divided into 4 groups [sham-operated/saline (SHAM/SAL), SHAM/GUAN, DMED/SAL and DMED/GUAN] were injected i.p. over 4 weeks with either saline or GUAN (25 mg/kg/day). At the end of this treatment period, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored via carotid catheter prior to and during restraint in conscious rats. Treatments did not alter basal BP or HR when compared to controls. Restraint increased HR (delta 72 bpm) and systolic, diastolic and mean BP (delta approximately 20 mm Hg) in control animals. Restraint-induced HR change was significantly greater in DMED/SAL animals (delta 88 bpm), but less in SHAM/GUAN animals (delta 40 bpm) than in controls. DMED/GUAN was not different from SHAM/GUAN alone in altering HR response to stress, supporting the greater influence of sympathetic nerves over adrenal medulla in controlling HR. Chronic GUAN abolished normal pressor responses to restraint stress. DMED increased diastolic blood pressure response to stress. However, in DMED/GUAN rats, not only did stress fail to increase blood pressure but rather stress produced hypotension (delta - 34 mm Hg MAP), demonstrating the role of adrenal medulla in maintaining BP during stress. Differential effects of the various treatments on diastolic and systolic pressure suggest that the treatments had effects on peripheral vasculature. These results demonstrate that sympathetic nerves and adrenal medulla have important influences on cardiovascular function during stress and that in the absence of either, the other system may partially compensate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiac alpha-1 adrenoceptors are not involved in heart rate control of the anaesthetized dog

To study the possible role of cardiac postsynaptic alpha-1 adrenoceptors in heart rate control of the anaesthetized open-chest dog we injected a specific alpha-1 agonist (amidephrine) into the right coronary artery or stimulated electrically the right stellate ganglion. Reflex influences were minimized by bilateral cervical vagotomy and de-afferentiation of both stellate ganglia. Activation of alpha-2, beta- and muscarinic receptors was prevented by intravenous administration of yohimbine, propranolol and atropine, respectively. Since alpha-1 receptor stimulation could affect heart rate indirectly via coronary constriction, a continuous intracoronary infusion of adenosine (0.25 mg/kg/h) was given. Amidephrine did not affect heart rate at the lower dose (1-10 microgram). After the highest dose (100 micrograms) the maximum variation in heart rate was an increase of 2.2 +/- 1.1 bpm at 3 min after injection (mean +/- SEM; P less than 0.05). This slight cardioacceleration was simultaneous with an aortic pressure rise of 13.8 +/- 3.4 mm Hg and it was abolished by alpha-1 blockade with prazosin (1 mg/kg i.v.). After propranolol (1 mg/kg +0.5 mg/kg/h) the residual positive chronotropic effect of sympathetic stimulation (12.2 +/- 4.0 bpm) was not significantly altered (13.8 +/- 5.7 bpm) by prazosin administration. Similar results were recorded without adenosine infusion. We conclude that in the anaesthetized dog chronotropic effects directly mediated by alpha-1 adrenoceptors either do not exist or lack physiological significance.

Cardiovascular effects of indoramin in man--a dose ranging study

1 The effect of single and repeated oral doses of indoramin 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg and placebo on arterial pressure and heart rate supine, standing and following immersion of the hand in ice was studied in five normal volunteers.

2 Each study period lasted 4 days. Observations were made before and at 2 and 4 after drug administration on days 1 and 4. On days 2 and 3, the drugs were administered daily, but no observations were made.

3 Indoramin did not change arterial pressure or heart rate in the supine position.

4 Indoramin did not reduce the cold pressor response.

5 Indoramin 25 mg produced small reductions in arterial pressure in the standing position, with no change in heart rate.

6 Indoramin 50 mg reduced systolic arterial pressure in the standing position on day 1 from 106.4 ± 2.6 mm Hg (mean ± s.e. mean) to 88.4 ± 7.4 mm Hg at 2 h (P < 0.05 when compared to placebo) and to 96.8 ± 2.2 mm Hg at 4 h (P < 0.05); diastolic pressure was reduced from 76.4 ± 4.1 mm Hg to 57.2 ± 6.4 mm Hg at 2 h (P < 0.01) and to 64.4 ± 4.3 mm Hg at 4 h (P < 0.05). The reductions in arterial pressure were accompanied by an increase in heart rate from 94.0 ± 4.5 beats min^-1 to 102.0 ± 7.0 beats min^-1 at 2 h, and to 104.6 ± 8.1 beats min^-1 at 4 h (P < 0.05 when compared to placebo, but not when compared to the pre-treatment value). Similar changes were observed on day 4 after 50 mg indoramin, but the maximum reduction in arterial pressure was observed at 2 h on day 1, and 4 h on day 4.

7 Indoramin 100 mg reduced systolic arterial pressure in the standing position on day 1 from 114.0 ± 2.6 mm Hg to 99.2 ± 5.8 mm Hg at 2 h, and to 88.0 ± 5.9 mm Hg at 4 h (P < 0.01); diastolic pressure was reduced from 80.4 ± 3.4 mm Hg to 64.4 ± 3.2 mm Hg at 2 h (P < 0.05), and to 64.0 ± 4.5 mm Hg at 4 h (P < 0.05). The reduction in arterial pressure was accompanied by a small increase in heart rate from 102.2 ± 8.3 beats min^-1 to 107.2 ± 12.7 beats min^-1 at 2 h (P < 0.05 when compared to placebo, but not when compared to the pre-treatment value); no change in heart rate was observed at 4 h. The changes in arterial pressure and heart rate observed on day 4 after 100 mg indoramin were less than those observed on day 1, but these differences were not significant.

8 Indoramin reduces arterial pressure in normal man, but it is not possible to describe a dose-response relationship for the reduction. The reduction is accompanied by only a small increase in heart rate, possibly due to a direct bradycardic action of indoramin on the heart.

Enhanced alpha-adrenergic responsiveness in ischemic myocardium: role of alpha-adrenergic blockade

alpha-Adrenergic blockade with phentolamine or prazosin but not beta-adrenergic blockade reduces premature ventricular complexes and abolished ventricular fibrillation induced by coronary artery ligation or reperfusion in cats. The protective influences were independent of regional coronary flow or systemic hemodynamics. Efferent sympathetic nerve stimulation increased the idioventricular rate (IVR) prior to myocardial ischemia, a response blocked by propranolol, whereas during reperfusion the increased IVR was abolished only by alpha-blockade. Enhanced alpha-adrenergic responsiveness during reperfusion was also apparent with the alpha-agonist methoxamine. More recently we have demonstrated that alpha-adrenergic receptors, assessed by ligand binding with 3H-prazosin, increased nearly twofold in ischemic myocardium by 30 minutes (Bmax = 14 + 2 to 27 + 3 fmol/mg prot) and remain elevated during early reperfusion (12 + 1 to 18 + 1) before returning to control values by 15 minutes after reperfusion. 3H-DHA binding or Na+- -K+ adenosine triphosphatase activity was not altered at any time, indicating the specificity of the alteration. Thus enhanced alpha-adrenergic receptors and suggests the potential use of alpha-adrenergic blockade as one intervention to alleviate these malignant dysrhythmias.

Structure-activity relationship of imidazolidine derivatives related to clonidine at histamine H2-receptors in guinea-pig isolated atria

1 Cumulative concentration-response relationships for the chronotropic effects of histamine, oxymetazoline, clonidine and thirteen clonidine-like imidazolidine derivatives were examined in isolated spontaneously beating guinea-pig atria.2 The following compounds induced positive chronotropic effects: histamine, clonidine (2,6-dichloro-phenyliminoimidazolidine) and the 2,6-dibromo, 2,6-dimethyl, 2,6-diethyl, 2,6-dihydroxy, 2,4,6-trimethyl, 3,4-dihydroxy and 2-methyl-5-fluoro analogues of clonidine. These compounds appeared to act as partial agonists on histamine H(2)-receptors, with potencies ranging from one tenth to one hundredth and intrinsic activities from approximately 20% to 75% of those of histamine.3 The following compounds did not induce positive chronotropic effects but rather decreased the atrial rate, usually at high concentrations: oxymetazoline and the 2,3-dichloro, 4-dichloro, 5-dichloro, 2-chloro-4-methyl, 2-methyl-5-chloro, 2,4,6-trichloro analogues of clonidine.4 The effects of histamine were antagonized by cimetidine, the pA(2) value being 6.68 (s.e. mean = 0.16, n = 3), and also in a concentration-dependent manner by clonidine. Cimetidine antagonized the response to clonidine in a concentration-dependent manner; however, high concentrations of cimetidine depressed the maximal response to clonidine and the slope of the concentration-response curve was no longer parallel to the control curve.5 The effects of the other compounds which induced positive chronotropic effects were also antagonized by cimetidine (1 mumol/l); however, the effect of the 3,4-dihydroxy derivative was unaffected by cimetidine (1 mumol/l) but was abolished by propranolol (0.3 mumol/l).6 In general, phenyliminoimidazolidine derivatives with 2,6-substitution on the phenyl ring are active on histamine H(2)-receptors, whereas derivatives with 2,3-, 2,4- or 2,5-substitutions are weakly active or inactive. Thus the restriction imposed on the free rotation of the phenyl ring about the carbon-imino nitrogen bond by the introduction of two ortho substituents appears to result in increased agonist activity on the histamine H(2)-receptor. The introduction of substituents in the 3, 4 or 5 positions in the phenyl ring may lead to compounds sterically hindered from combining with the histamine H(2)-receptor.7 There is no apparent relationship between the activities of clonidine-like imidazolidine derivatives as agonists on histamine H(2)-receptors and their hypotensive activities (as reported in the literature).

Adrenergaically mediated ventricular fibrillation in probucol-treated dogs: roles of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors

A high incidence of sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation (VF) has been observed in dogs under chronic treatment with probucol, a new hypocholesterolemic agent. The present study describes the cardiac electrophysiologic properties of probucol-treated dogs and characterizes the electrophysiological response of these animals to manipulation of the autonomic nervous system. There was no significant difference in the spontaneous sinus cycle length, the QT interval, refractory period of the atrium, ventricle or A-V junction between normal and probucol-treated dogs. Epinephrine produced VF with few and sometimes no preceding premature ventricular extrasystoles. Electrical stimulation of the stellate ganglion induced VF in 16/19 dogs whereas stimulation of the right stellate ganglion induced VF in 1/19 dogs. Phenylephrine induced VF in 0/19 dogs, isoproterenol in 5/19 dogs, but phenylephrine + isoproterenol induced VF in 9/11 dogs in which isoproterenol did not produce VF. alpha (phentolamine) or beta (propranolol) blockade prevented initiation of VF by epinephrine, phenylephrine + is isoproterenol, and left stellate stimulation but alpha blockade did not prevent induction of VF by isoproterenol when isoproterenol alone produced VF. In this nonischemic model, we conclude that left stellate stimulation is a far more potent initiator of VF than right stellate stimulation and that induction of VF appears to require both alpha and beta adrenergic receptor stimulation.

The combined effects of antihypertensive drugs and anaesthetics (halothane and ketamine) on the isolated heart

The effects of three concentrations of halothane or ketamine were investigated on isolated rabbit hearts, which were perfused with hydralazine, clonidine, propranolol or methyldopa. In hearts not subjected to the influence of an anaesthetic, clonidine was the only drug stimulating myocardial function. In those perfused with halothane or ketamine alone, both anaesthetics exerted a negative chronotropic and inotropic action in a dose-related manner. Ketamine markedly increased the coronary flow. Clonidine distinctly reduced the myocardial depression caused by halothane or ketamine. Hydralazine had no marked effects with either of these anaesthetics, except that it sensitized the hearts to the arrhythmic action of a high concentration of halothane. Propranolol, when combined with halothane, aggravated myocardial depression and decreased coronary flow. With ketamine, propranolol caused no other harmful interactions, apart from inhibiting the increase in coronary flow caused by this anaesthetic. Methyldopa intensified the myocardial depression induced by halothane, but tended to diminish that caused by ketamine. The results suggest that clonidine has a stimulatory cardiac action when combined with either of these anaesthetics. Disadvantageous interactions may exist between methyldopa or propranolol and halothane.

Alpha-adrenergic receptors in rat myocardium. Identification by binding of [3H]dihydroergocryptine

[3H]Dihydroergocryptine ([3H]DHE) binds to sites in membranes derived from rat myocardium that have the characteristics expected of alpha-adrenergic receptors. The binding is saturable with 41 fmol [3H]DHE bound per mg of protein and of high affinity with KD = 2.9 nM. The binding is rapid and readily reversible. Adrenergic agonists compete with [3H]DHE for binding in the order: epinephrine greater than norepinephrine greater than isoproterenol; and adrenergic antagonists compete for binding in the order: phentolamine greater than propranolol. For comparison, (-)[3H]dihydroalprenolol [(-)[3h]dha] was used to bind to sites in the same membrane preparations having characteristics of beta-receptors. The number and affinity of beta-receptors were quite similar to those of the alpha-receptors with 46 fmol (-)[EH]DHA per mg protein bound at saturation and KD = 2.5 nM. These techniques allowed identification of both beta- and alpha-adrenergic receptors in membranes derived from isolated atria, right ventricular free walls, and left ventricles including interventricular septa. This is the first report documenting direct identification of myocardial alpha-receptors by radioligand-binding techniques and complements the literature previously reporting myocardial inotopic and electrophysiological responses to alpha-adrenergic stimulation.

alpha-Adrenergic reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations in rat myocardium

We determined the effect of alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) concentrations in isolated myocytes derived from adult rat hearts and in isolated perfused rat hearts. Activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors with either phenylephrine (10(-8) M to 10(-6) M) or epinephrine (10(-8) M to 10(-6) M) plus propranolol (10(-6) M) resulted in a reduction in cyclic AMP levels in isolated myocytes. The action of phenylephrine was antagonized by phentolamine (10(-6) M). Phenylephrine (10(-5)M attenuated cyclic AMP generation in response to isoproterenol (10(-8) M and 10(-5) M). However, this effect of phenylephrine was not antagonized by phentolamine. Elevation of cyclic AMP concentrations produced by glucagon and by theophylline in isolated myocytes was attenuated by phenylephrine and by epinephrine plus propranolol and the attenuation was antagonized by phentolamine. In isolated perfused rat hearts epinephrine (10(-6) M), when given with propranolol, diminished the rate of development of tension and also reduced tissue levels of cyclic AMP. Epinephrine alone, as well as isoproterenol, increased contractility and myocardial cyclic AMP concentrations as expected. These results indicate that catecholamines may increase or decrease cyclic AMP levels in rat myocardium, depending on the intensity of stimulation of receptor types. Increases are mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors, whereas decreases appear to by mediated by alpha-adrenergic receptors.

Inhibition of potassium uptake by low concentrations of norepinephrine and dibutyryl cyclic AMP

(1) The inhibition of potassium uptake by low concentration of norepinephrine (3 X 10-8 M) and of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP, 10 minus5 M) was studied in cardiac Purkynĕ fibres. (2) The inhibitory action of DBcAMP on K uptake was abolished by the alpha blocker phentolamine. (3) Norepinephrine alone decreased K uptake and such inhibition was somewhat larger when DBcAMP was added. DBcAMP alone caused the usual decrease in K uptake but addition of norepinephrine abolished it. (4) The inhibition caused by norepinephrine reduced the increase in uptake caused by a high concentration (10 minus 3 M) of DBcAMP. (5) The inhibitory effect of norepinephrine was reversed in the presence of high concentration of magnesium (5.25 mM). (6) The inhibitory effect of norepinephrine was reversed by aminophylline and abolished by caffeine. (7) The inhibitory action of norepinephrine and BCcAMP was reversed or abolished, respectively, by imidazole. (8) It is concluded that the inhibition of potassium uptake by low concentration of DBcAMP is mediated by an alpha receptor mechanism and that possibly the "receptors" for this effect of norepinephrine and DBcAMP are located at different sites. Also it appears that DBcAMP may be acting at the membrane and that the action of methylxanthines and imidazole is not necessarily mediated only by a modification of phosphodiesterase activity.

Frequency-dependence of the positive inotropic effect of methoxamine and naphazoline mediated by alpha-Adrenoceptors in the isolated rabbit papillary muscle

Under the conditions of different stimulation frequencies the inotropic effects of the alpha-adrenoceptor stimulationg agents, methoxamine, naphazoling and oxymetazoline were studied on the isolated rabbit papillary muscle. 1. On the papillary muscle stimulated at 0.5 Hz methoxamine in concentrations from 10(-5)M caused a significant and dose-dependent positive inotropic effect. At 10(-3)M methoxamine decreased the developed tension. With increasing frequency of stimulation (0.5--1--1.5Hz), the positive inotropic effect became smaller, while the negative inotropic one was more pronounced. The time course of the disappearance of the negative inotropic effect of methoxamine by washout differed from that of the positive inotropic effect: the negative component disappeared within 30 min, whereas the positive one lasted for about 100 min. The positive inotropic effect of noradrenaline (10(-6)M), in contrast ot that of methoxamine, was not influenced by the frequency under the same conditions of stimulation. Also naphazoline (10(-5)M) caused a significant positive inotropic effect on the papillary muscle stimulated at 0.5 Hz, while oxymetazoline induced exclusively a negative inotropic effect. 2. The positive inotropic effect of metoxamine (10(-4)M) as well as of naphazoline (10(-5)M) evoked at a frequency of 0.5 Hz was abolished by phentolamine (10(-6)M). Methoxamine (10(-4)M) induced a significant negative inotropic effect in the presence of phentolamine. Phentolamine antagonized the positive inotropic effect of methoxamine in a non-competitive manner: the pD2-value was 7.76. 3. In the presence of methoxamine (10(-4)M) the developed tension in the lower range (0.05--1 Hz) of the frequency-force relationship was enhanced, while that in the higher range (greater that 1.5 Hz) was decreased. The enhancement was abolished by phentolamine (10(-6)M). 4. Papaverine (2x10(-5)M) did not affect the positive inotropic effect of methoxamine. 5. The present results show that methoxamine and naphazoline induced a positive inotropic effect via alpha-adrenoceptor in the ventricular myocardium of the rabbit. These effects were caused only at low, but not at high frequencies of stimulation.

Mechanism of catecholamine antagonism in rat heart produced by pilocarpine and related drugs

1 High concentrations of pilocarpine and methacholine consistently lowered the potencies of a series of adrenoceptor agonists as shown by displacement of complete cumulative dose-effect curves for their positive chronotropic action on rat isolated atria. The order of potency of the agonists was characteristic of beta-adrenoceptor activation and this was converted to the type which characterizes alpha-adrenoceptor activation when pilocarpine was present.2 Propranolol effectively blocked the adrenoceptor agonists in the presence of pilocarpine and phentolamine abolished the antagonistic actions of pilocarpine. Atropine, which by itself did not affect the action of the adrenoceptor agonists, abolished both the bradycardia and antagonism produced by pilocarpine.3 It is concluded that pilocarpine antagonizes adrenoceptor agonists by muscarinic cholinoceptor activation without involving classical adrenoceptors.

Effects of noradrenaline and isoprenaline, in combination with - and -receptor blocking substances, on the action potential of cardiac Purkinje fibres

1. The effects of noradrenaline and isoprenaline on the repolarization phase of the action potential have been studied in the Purkinje fibres of sheep heart, electrically driven at constant rates.2. Isoprenaline (2, 5 and 8 x 10(-8) g/ml.) increases the slope of phase 2 of repolarization and decreases the plateau length; the resulting decrease in action potential duration is concentration dependent, but not rate dependent.3. The effect of isoprenaline on the action potential duration is entirely blocked by propranolol (10(-7) g/ml.) and unaffected by phentolamine (5 x 10(-7) g/ml.).4. In phentolamine (5 x 10(-7) g/ml.) pretreated preparations the response induced by noradrenaline (5 x 10(-8), 1 and 5 x 10(-7) g/ml.) is very similar to that induced by isoprenaline.5. In propranolol (2.5 x 10(-7) g/ml.) pretreated preparations noradrenaline causes a lengthening of the plateau phase and an increase in action potential duration.6. The relationship of these results to the presence of both alpha- and beta-receptors in cardiac Purkinje fibres is discussed.

Quantitative analysis on isolated organs of the autonomic blocking properties of indoramin hydrochloride (Wy 21901)

1. Indoramin is a competitive alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent on the guinea-pig isolated vas deferens and aortic strip; the pA(2) value on the aorta is 7.4.2. Indoramin is devoid of beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity on the guinea-pig isolated trachea (10(-4)M) and the Langendorff preparation of the rabbit heart (10(-6)M). It also has no adrenergic neurone blocking action on the Finkleman preparation of the rabbit small intestine (10(-5)M).3. On the Langendorff preparation of the rabbit isolated heart, indoramin (above 10(-6)M) has cardio-inhibitory properties similar to those of propranolol.4. On the guinea-pig isolated ileum (10(-5)M) and trachea (10(-6)M), indoramin is devoid of anticholinergic activity, but has a potent antihistamine action which satisfies the criteria for competitive antagonism; the pA(2) value for this antagonism on the ileum is 8.2.5. Indoramin antagonizes 5-hydroxytryptamine on the rat isolated fundus and ileum; the pA(2) value for the antagonism on the ileum is 6.0.