Beta-2 adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation of the isolated human saphenous vein

On isolated strips of human saphenous vein, pretreated with 5 microM phenoxybenzamine and contracted with 10 mM KCl, the beta adrenoceptor mediating the relaxant effects of isoproterenol, procaterol and norepinephrine was characterized using the selective beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonist, bisoprolol, and the selective beta-2 adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118,551. All three agonists produced concentration-dependent relaxations of the isolated saphenous vein with an order of potency: procaterol (pD2 value, 7.69) greater than isoproterenol (pD2 value, 7.41) much greater than norepinephrine (pD2 value, 5.30). ICI 118,551 (3 X 10(-10) to 3 X 10(-9) M) was nearly 100 times more potent than bisoprolol (10(-7) to 10(-6) M) in antagonizing the relaxant effects of isoproterenol and procaterol. The slopes of the Schild plots for the antagonistic effects of ICI 118,551 and bisoprolol against isoproterenol- and procaterol-induced relaxations were not significantly different from unity indicating interaction with a homogeneous population of beta adrenoceptors. The pA2 value for ICI 118,551 amounted to 9.11 to 9.20 and for bisoprolol to 6.50 to 6.63. In addition, the concentration-response curve for the relaxant effect of norepinephrine was significantly shifted to the right by 10(-9) M ICI 118,551, but not affected by 10(-7) M bisoprolol. These results indicate that on the isolated strips of the human saphenous vein the beta adrenoceptor mediating relaxation is of the beta-2 subtype.     

Beta adrenoceptors in the canine large coronary arteries: beta-1 adrenoceptors predominate in vasodilation

Beta adrenoceptors of the canine large coronary artery were characterized by observing the effects of the subtype selective antagonists, metoprolol (beta-1) and ICI 118,551 (beta-2), on the vasodilator responses of isolated and perfused preparations to beta adrenoceptor agonists and in the radioligand binding assay. The integrity of the endothelium was checked by acetylcholine-induced vasodilations. Without any precontraction, isoproterenol, norepinephrine, epinephrine and procaterol (selective beta-2 agonist) dilated the canine large coronary artery pretreated with phentolamine (10(-5) M). The rank order of agonist potency was isoproterenol greater than norepinephrine greater than epinephrine greater than procaterol. The pA2 values for metoprolol and ICI 118,551 were determined by the antagonisms of the vasodilator responses to isoproterenol and procaterol. The slopes of Schild plots for metoprolol and ICI 118,551 against isoproterenol and the value for ICI 118,551 against procaterol were not significantly different from unity, but the value for metoprolol against procaterol was significantly less than unity. The pA2 value for metoprolol against isoproterenol was 7.48 and those values for ICI 118,551 against isoproterenol and procaterol was 7.19 and 7.25, respectively. These pA2 values are typical for beta-1 adrenoceptors. The beta adrenoceptors of the canine large coronary artery were examined further using an antagonist [125I]iodocyanopindolol as a ligand for the binding of beta adrenoceptors. The [125I]iodocyanopindolol binding to the canine coronary artery smooth muscle membrane was saturable with a KD of 63.7 pM and a total number of radioligand binding sites of 44 fmol/mg of protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Classification of postjunctional beta adrenoceptors mediating relaxation of canine bronchi.

Adrenoceptors mediating relaxant responses to exogenously added or endogenously released catecholamines in isolated canine bronchi (3rd-6th order) were characterized using selective beta receptor agonists and antagonists. Norepinephrine (3 x 10(7) to 3 x 10(-5) M) or isoproterenol (3 x 10(-8) to 10(-6) M) fully relaxed tissues precontracted with 3 x 10(-7) M carbachol (Cch). Salbutamol (Sal) also relaxed Cch-precontracted tissues, but this relaxant effect was extremely sensitive to the concentration of precontracting agent used: the maximal effect of Sal was 100, 79 and 28% reversal of tone in tissues precontracted with 2 x 10(-8), 10(-7) and 3 x 10(-7) M Cch. The effects of isoproterenol were antagonized by propranolol. Norepinephrine relaxations were antagonized by the beta-1-selective antagonist ICI 89,406 (pA2 = 7.70) and the beta-2-selective antagonist ICI 118,551 (pA2 = 6.33). Sal-relaxations were antagonized by ICI 118,551 (pA2 = 8.91). Field stimulation in tissues precontracted with McNeil A343 (M1-selective muscarinic agonist) produced transient relaxations which were antagonized by ICI 89,406 but not ICI 118,551 (both 10(-9) to 10(-7) M). Thus, exogenous and endogenous catecholamines relax canine bronchial smooth muscle by activating both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenoceptors, although the latter seen to play a significant role only when low concentrations of Cch were used.     

Vascular alpha-1 antagonistic and agonistic effects of beta adrenoceptor agonists in rabbit common carotid arteries.

The stainless-steel cannula-inserting method was used to observe vascular effects of mixed and selective beta adrenoceptor agonists, isoproterenol, procaterol and denopamine, on isolated, perfused rabbit common carotid arteries. In phenylephrine-preconstricted preparations, the three beta agonists induced a dose-dependent vasodilation which was not suppressed by treatment with beta antagonists, atenolol, a selective beta-1 antagonist and ICI 118551, a selective beta-2 antagonist. On the other hand, in prostaglandin F2 alpha-preconstricted preparations, these agonists produced no vasodilation and revealed weak vasoconstrictions which were readily suppressed by bunazosin, a selective alpha-1 antagonist. Moreover, these agonists caused a shift of the dose-response curve for phenylephrine to the right in a parallel fashion in non-preconstricted preparations. The relative pA2 values for isoproterenol, procaterol and denopamine calculated from the displacement curve were 7.47, 7.59 and 8.17, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that 1) there are little functional beta adrenoceptors in the rabbit common carotid arteries, 2) beta adrenoceptor agonists have both antagonistic and agonistic properties for alpha-1 adrenoceptor activation, 3) denopamine possesses a higher potency as an alpha-1 antagonist and 4) beta agonists generally act as vasodilators in rabbit cerebral circulation.     

Characterization of the beta adrenoceptor subtype(s) mediating the positive inotropic effects of epinine, dopamine, dobutamine, denopamine and xamoterol in isolated human right atrium.

In patients with chronic heart failure cardiac beta-1 adrenoceptors are reduced, whereas beta-2 adrenoceptor changes vary depending on the etiology of the disease. Beta Adrenoceptor agonists can be used for short-term inotropic support in chronic heart failure; their clinical efficacy might depend on which beta adrenoceptor subtype(s) mediates their positive inotropic effect. Thus, the beta adrenoceptor subtype(s) involved in the positive inotropic effects of clinically used beta adrenoceptor agonists was characterized on isolated electrically driven human right atria by the use of the selective beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonist CGP 20712 A (300 nmol/l) and/or the selective beta-2 adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551 (30 nmol/l). Epinine evoked positive inotropic effects through stimulation of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenoceptors to about the same degree, whereas dobutamine acted mainly at beta-1 adrenoceptors but had a significant beta-2 adrenoceptor component. Both agonists were full agonists causing the same maximum increase in contractile force (Emax) as did isoprenaline or Ca++ (Emax = 1.0). In contrast, denopamine was a partial selective beta-1 adrenoceptor agonist (Emax = 0.75-0.85). Dopamine was in the presence of uptake1-blockade (by 5 mumol/l phenoxybenzamine) a partial agonist (Emax = 0.60-0.70) acting selectively at beta-1 adrenoceptors; in the absence of uptake1-blockade, however, dopamine was a full agonist, indicating that part of its positive inotropic effect is indirect via the release of endogenous noradrenaline. Xamoterol did not exert positive inotropic effects, but concentration-dependently slightly decreased basal force of contraction.     

Differential regulation of fat cell beta-2 and beta-1 adrenoceptors by endogenous catecholamines in dog

The effects of long-term endogenous catecholamine exposure on the regulation of leukocyte and adipocyte beta adrenoceptor subtypes were studied through an experimental model of chronic neurogenic hypertension in the dog. Chronic sinoaortic denervation (SAD) is associated with a significant increase in plasma catecholamine levels, a reduction in the total beta adrenoceptor number of the leukocytes (52%) as well as of the omental adipocytes (59%). Using highly selective beta antagonists (bisoprolol for beta-1; ICI 118,551 for beta-2 adrenoceptors) we demonstrate that the normal dog fat cell possess both beta-2 and beta-1 adrenoceptors in proportions of 67 and 33%, respectively. SAD-induced catecholamine enhancement promotes a strong reduction of beta-2 (but not beta-1) adrenoceptor number (from 237 +/- 28 to 52 +/- 13 fmol/mg of protein) leading to a new relative distribution in fat cell membranes: 36% for beta-2 and 64% for beta-1 adrenoceptors. Such a different regulation provokes major consequences in the associated-biological effect on adipocytes when evaluating the lipolytic process. Lipolysis induced by epinephrine or isoproterenol (two mixed agonists) is weakly but significantly reduced whereas lipolysis induced by procaterol (a highly selective beta-2 agonist) is strongly reduced. These data fit with the results of the binding studies and demonstrate the loss in beta-2 adrenoceptor number and efficiency in SAD dogs. The present study demonstrates a differential regulation of beta adrenoceptors: beta-2 but not beta-1 adrenoceptors are decreased by long-term exposure to high plasma levels of endogenous catecholamines in the dog.     

Effects of clenbuterol on central beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors of the rat

Repeated administration of the centrally acting beta adrenoceptor agonist, clenbuterol, to rats reduced the ability of isoproterenol to increase the concentration of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in slices of cerebellum. This reduced responsiveness to isoproterenol was accompanied by a marked reduction in the density of beta adrenoceptors as measured by the binding of the beta adrenoceptor antagonist [125I]iodopindolol. In addition, the agonist-binding properties of remaining cerebellar beta adrenoceptors were altered after clenbuterol treatment. The clenbuterol-induced reduction in the density of beta adrenoceptors in the cerebellum is in marked contrast to its inability to do this in cerebral cortex. Comparison of the ability of clenbuterol to that of isoproterenol to increase levels of cAMP in slices of cerebral cortex or cerebellum showed that clenbuterol is a weakly potent agonist in both brain regions. The increase in cAMP induced by isoproterenol in the cortex was significantly reduced in the presence of the selective beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 89,406. In contrast, the clenbuterol-induced increase in cortical cAMP was unchanged by ICI 89,406 but was reduced significantly by the beta-2 adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118,551. In cerebellum, both isoproterenol- and clenbuterol-stimulated accumulation of cAMP were antagonized much more potently by ICI 118,551 than by ICI 89,406. Furthermore, clenbuterol antagonized the cAMP response induced by isoproterenol in the presence of ICI 118,551 in a concentration-dependent manner. In terms of measurement of cAMP in brain slices, clenbuterol is weakly potent as an agonist at beta-2 adrenoceptors and has antagonist properties at beta-1 adrenoceptors.     

Further evidence for a homogeneous population of beta-1-adrenoceptors in bovine coronary artery

Isolated rings from the proximal and distal ends of the bovine epicardial anterior descending coronary artery and guinea pig tracheal rings were mounted in tissue baths for the measurement of isometric contraction and relaxation, and spontaneously beating rabbit atria were prepared for measurement of chronotropic response. All tissues were exposed to phenoxybenzamine to block tissue uptake of catecholamines and alpha adrenoceptors. The arterial and tracheal rings were contracted with 25 mM K+ in order to observe agonist-induced relaxation. Beta adrenergic agonist dose-response curves were obtained in all tissues in the presence and absence of the beta-2 selective antagonist, ICI 118,551. The orders of agonist potencies in the proximal and distal coronary arteries and the rabbit atria were the same: namely, isoproterenol (ISO) greater than norepinephrine (NE) much greater than procaterol. In contrast, that in the guinea pig trachea was procaterol greater than ISO greater than NE. Procaterol was a weak, partial agonist in the bovine coronary artery and rabbit atria and a potent, full agonist in the guinea pig trachea. The ICI 118,551 pA2 values in the proximal segment of the bovine coronary artery were the same against both NE and fenoterol, 7.38. In the distal segment, the values were 7.33 and 7.14, respectively. ICI 118,551 -log KB values in the rabbit atria, 6.81 and 6.83 for NE and ISO, respectively, were slightly below those in the coronary artery segments, whereas -log KB values in the guinea pig trachea were substantially higher, 8.19 and 8.81 for fenoterol and procaterol, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of functional beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in rabbit urinary bladder smooth muscle

Spontaneous contractile force of muscle strips isolated from male rabbit urinary bladder dome (detrusor) and base (trigonal muscle) was significantly inhibited by isoproterenol (10(-7)-10(-5) M), a non-specific beta-adrenoceptor agonist or by terbutaline (10(-8)-10(-5) M), a selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist. The EC50 values for isoproterenol and terbutaline in detrusor were the same as those in trigonal muscle but the maximum relaxant response to isoproterenol or terbutaline was significantly greater in detrusor than in trigonal muscle. Dobutamine (10(-5)-10(-4) M), a relatively specific beta 1-adrenoceptor agonist caused a small but significant relaxant response in trigonal muscle but no change in detrusor. In trigonal muscle the relaxant response to dobutamine was less than that to terbutaline. The relaxant response to 10(-6) M isoproterenol in detrusor was completely blocked by butoxamine (10(-4) M), a selective beta 2-antagonist or by propranolol (10(-6) M), a non-specific beta-antagonist but not by metoprolol (10(-6)-10(-4) M), a selective beta 1-antagonist. Relaxation of trigonal muscle induced by 10(-6) M isoproterenol was inhibited by 10(-5) M metoprolol by 30%, by 10(-4) M butoxamine by 70%, or completely by 10(-6) M propranolol. These findings are consistent with the view that the density of beta-adrenoceptors is higher in the detrusor than in trigonal muscle, and that the relaxant response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation is mediated by beta 2-subtype in the detrusor and by both of beta 1- and beta 2-subtypes in trigonal muscle of the male rabbit.     

Characterization of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenoceptors in guinea pig atrium: functional and receptor binding studies

The selective beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist procaterol produced positive inotropic and chronotropic responses over a concentration range of 1 nM to 0.1 mM in spontaneously beating right atria and in three of seven electrically driven left atria. The pD2 values (right atria, 7.30; left atria, 7.18) were midway between its known affinities at beta-1 and beta-2 adrenoceptors and are evidence that positive inotropic and chronotropic responses involve a minor beta-2 adrenoceptor component. The pKB values for procaterol against (-)-isoproterenol in the right atria (5.59) and left atria (5.29) were consistent with its affinity for beta-1 adrenoceptors and suggest that these are responsible primarily for positive inotropic and chronotropic responses. Receptor binding studies in right atrial homogenates showed that [125I]cyanopindolol binding was saturable (KD = 36.2 pM, maximal density of binding sites = 49.2 fmol mg-1 protein) and stereoselective with respect to the isomers of propranolol. Competition binding curves for the beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonist CGP 20712A and beta-2 selective antagonist ICI 118,551 against [125I]cyanopindolol binding were resolved into two components using iterative curve fitting techniques. Binding sites with the characteristics of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenoceptors were present in the proportions of approximately 75 to 25%. These studies indicate either that the beta-1 adrenoceptor is coupled more efficiently to the positive inotropic and chronotropic response than the beta-2 adrenoceptor or that a proportion of the beta-2 adrenoceptors subserve other functions.     

Beta-2 adrenoceptor-mediated effects on sinus rate and atrial and ventricular contractility on isolated, blood-perfused dog heart preparations

Changes in the sinus rate, right atrial contractile force and left ventricular contractile force in response to isoproterenol, epinephrine, dobutamine, salbutamol and procaterol were studied in isolated, blood-perfused right atrial or left ventricular cardiac preparations of the dog. Each substance elicited dose-dependent increases in the three parameters and the ranking of the potency (ED50) for each effect was isoproterenol greater than epinephrine greater than dobutamine greater than or equal to salbutamol greater than or equal to procaterol. The ED50 of procaterol for changing sinus rate was lower than for altering atrial and ventricular contractile force, whereas the ED50 of dobutamine for changing sinus rate was higher. Ranking on the basis of the ratio of increase in sinus rate to increase in atrial tension induced by the agonists gave the following order: procaterol greater than or equal to salbutamol greater than epinephrine greater than or equal to isoproterenol greater than dobutamine. Procaterol-induced increases in sinus rate and atrial contractile force were dose-dependently inhibited by the beta-2 adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118,551, but only attenuated slightly by the beta-1 antagonist, atenolol. On the other hand, the positive chrono- and inotropic effects on the right atrium induced by dobutamine and isoproterenol were blocked completely by atenolol. The epinephrine- or salbutamol-induced positive chrono- and inotropic responses in the right atrium were inhibited moderately by both antagonists, but ICI 118,551 inhibited sinus rate increases more effectively than the atrial tension increases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of the prejunctional beta adrenoceptors in canine bronchial smooth muscle

Prejunctional beta adrenoceptors in canine bronchi (3rd to 6th order) were characterized by observing the effects of beta receptor agonists and antagonists on field stimulation-induced contractions and excitatory junction potentials (EJPs). Contractions were antagonized by norepinephrine (IC50 = 9.4 X 10(-7) M), isoproterenol (IC50 = 1.9 X 10(-8) M) or salbutamol (IC50 = 4.0 X 10(-8) M). EJPs were also decreased by all three agonists, with little or no effect on resting membrane potential or on carbachol-induced depolarization when used at concentrations sufficient to eliminate EJPs. These inhibitory effects were blocked by propranolol or timolol, as well as by the selective antagonists ICI 89,406 (beta-1-selective) and ICI 118,551 (beta-2-selective); pA2 values for the selective antagonists were 8.4 and 7.2 (norepinephrine as agonist) or 6.5 and 9.0 (salbutamol as agonist), respectively. Control responses were also sometimes potentiated by the nonselective antagonists. Schild plot analysis of the data indicated clearly that both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors are involved in the inhibitory effect. Electron microscopic studies showed this tissue to be densely innervated by adrenergic and cholinergic nerves with close apposition of adrenergic and cholinergic nerve varicosities, providing a structural basis for prejunctional interactions between them. From the data presented, we conclude that catecholamines act on prejunctional beta-1 and beta-2 receptors leading to inhibition of cholinergic neurotransmission in canine bronchi.     

The effects of a beta-2 selective adrenergic receptor antagonist (ICI 118,551) on twitch tension in cat soleus muscle

We examined the interaction between isoproterenol and erythro-dl-1-(7-methylindan-4-yloxy)-3-isopropylaminobutan-2-ol (ICI 118,551), a beta-2 selective adrenergic receptor antagonist, with respect to heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and twitch tension (soleus muscle) in anesthetized cats. Dose-response curves to isoproterenol (0.025-1.0 micrograms/kg i.v.) were generated for each parameter and then repeated successively after three doses of ICI 118,551 (10, 25 and 100 micrograms/kg i.v.) ICI 118,551 did not significantly alter isoproterenol-induced changes in heart rate, but effects on diastolic blood pressure and twitch tension were inhibited competitively. The data confirm the beta-2 nature of the skeletal muscle adrenergic receptor and suggest that it may be slightly more sensitive than that in blood vessels. Because depression of twitch tension is known to correlate with essential tremor, the data are consistent with clinical reports demonstrating control of tremor by nonselective beta adrenergic receptor antagonists. ICI 118,551 may be efficacious in controlling tremor in man.     

Beta-2 adrenergic responses to tulobuterol in airway smooth muscle, vascular smooth muscle and adrenergic nerves

Experiments were designed to determine the mechanism of action of the bronchodilator drug tulobuterol. Tissues were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. Tulobuterol caused concentration-dependent relaxations of guinea pig tracheae, canine saphenous veins and canine bronchi; the compound relaxed canine coronary arteries only at high concentrations and did not affect spontaneously beating guinea pig atria. A metabolite of tulobuterol, 4-hydroxytulobuterol, was more potent in relaxing guinea pig tracheae than tulobuterol, salbutamol and isoproterenol. Other metabolites (3-hydroxy-, 5-hydroxy- and 4,5-dihydroxytulobuterol) were less efficacious than 4-hydroxytulobuterol. Both tulobuterol and 4-hydroxytulobuterol acted as partial agonists. The effects of tulobuterol in the saphenous vein (but not in the coronary artery) were antagonized by the selective beta-2 adrenergic blocker ICI 118,551 but were not affected by the selective beta-1 adrenergic inhibitor metoprolol. In bronchi, removal of the epithelium reduced the relaxations caused by tulobuterol. The drug did not inhibit responses of canine bronchi to electrical stimulation of the cholinergic nerves more than those to exogenous acetylcholine. Tulobuterol caused a moderate augmentation of the evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine in canine saphenous veins previously incubated with the labeled transmitter. Thus, tulobuterol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist with minimal nonselective inhibitory effect on airway and vascular smooth muscle. It also facilitates adrenergic neurotransmission, which may help to explain its bronchodilator effect in the intact organism. Tulobuterol does not activate beta-1 adrenoceptors and has no direct positive chronotropic effect. A metabolite of tulobuterol, 4-hydroxytulobuterol, is more active than the parent compound.     

Selective regulation of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors by atypical agonists

The interactions of the atypical agonists pindolol and celiprolol with beta adrenergic receptors were compared with those of the full agonist, isoproterenol. Studies were carried out using intact cells as well as membranes prepared from C6 glioma cells. Computer-assisted analysis of dose-response curves resulting from the inhibition of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol by the beta-1 and beta-2 selective compounds ICI 89,406 and ICI 118,551 revealed that approximately one-third of the beta adrenergic receptors on these cells were beta-1 receptors. Addition of GTP to the binding assay simplified the dose-response curve for inhibition of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol by isoproterenol and diminished the potency of the agonist. GTP had no effect on the binding of pindolol or celiprolol, suggesting that these drugs do not induce the formation of a ternary complex with the receptor and the guanine nucleotide-binding protein for stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. When added to the growth medium of intact C6 cells, isoproterenol induced a 40-fold increase in cyclic AMP accumulation. Pindolol and celiprolol, however, caused no elevation of enzyme activity. Addition of isoproterenol to the growth medium of intact cells resulted in an 80% decrease in the density of both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors within 8 hr. Growing cells in the presence of pindolol or celiprolol induced a 50% decrease in the density of beta-2 receptors, which was inhibited by beta adrenergic antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

In vitro effects of beta adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on the rat ovarian suspensory ligament

The mesovarian suspensory ligament of the rat was used to compare the activities of beta adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists. The following beta adrenoceptor agonists, in descending order of potency, inhibited spontaneous activity in a dose-related manner: zinterol greater than isoproterenol much greater than dobutamine. Several noncardioselective, beta-2 adrenoceptor antagonists with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) also inhibited the activity of the ligament: pindolol greater than alprenolol = bucindolol = oxprenolol greater than labetalol. Maximal relaxation induced by the antagonists was equivalent to that caused by the beta receptor agonists. Two cardioselective, beta adrenoceptor antagonists with ISA, acebutolol and practolol, did not inhibit the activity of the suspensory ligament but did increase the rate of the isolated right atrium of the rat. The maximal increases in atrial rate evoked by the antagonists were significantly less than those induced by the beta adrenoceptor agonists. Studies with ICI 118,551 or atenolol as beta-2 or beta-1 selective adrenoceptor blockers, respectively, suggest that the beta adrenoceptors of the suspensory ligament are predominantly of the beta-2 subtype. The possible relevance of these results to the induction of mesovarian leiomyomas in rats by noncardioselective beta adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists with ISA is discussed.     

Beta adrenoceptor subtype in isolated human, monkey and dog epicardial coronary arteries

Isolated human, Japanese monkey and dog epicardial coronary arteries and dog renal and mesenteric arteries treated with phentolamine responded to isoproterenol with a concentration-related relaxation. The KB values of metoprolol, a beta-1 antagonist, in the coronary arteries from different mammals did not differ, but were appreciably smaller than those in the dog renal and mesenteric arteries. Treatment with butoxamine, a beta-2 antagonist, inhibited the relaxation of dog mesenteric arteries to a greater extent than that of monkey and dog coronary arteries. Terbutaline, a beta-2 agonist, produced a greater relaxation in monkey mesenteric and dog renal and mesenteric arteries than in human, monkey and dog coronary arteries. Norepinephrine relaxed the monkey and dog coronary arteries dose-dependently via mainly beta-1 adrenoceptors, but elicited a contraction or a minute relaxation in dog mesenteric arteries even when treated with high concentrations of phentolamine. Contractile responses to electrical stimulation of adrenergic nerves in monkey coronary arteries were potentiated by treatment with metoprolol and propranolol, whereas the contractions in dog mesenteric arteries were unaffected. It is concluded that the amine-induced relaxation of human and monkey epicardial coronary arteries is mediated mainly by beta-1 adrenoceptor subtype, as is the response of dog coronary arteries. Involvement of beta-1 subtype in coronary artery relaxations would be a mechanism underlying potentiation by beta antagonists of the contraction caused by norepinephrine released from adrenergic nerves in primates.     

Selective distribution of alpha-1 and beta adrenoceptors in pregnant rat uterus visualized by autoradiography

Receptor autoradiography using (-)-3-[125I]cyanopindolol and [3H]prazosin was used to study the distribution of beta and alpha-1 adrenoceptors in the rat uterus at early and midpregnancy. The binding of [3H]prazosin to slide-mounted sections at 25 degrees C was time dependent (K1 = 3.01 x 10(7) M-1 min-1, K2 = -0.0116 min-1) and saturable (1 nM). Competition binding curves with the selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 antagonists (prazosin, yohimbine) or alpha-1 and alpha-2 agonists (phenylephrine, clonidine) showed the presence of alpha-1 adrenoceptors; autoradiographic studies revealed that this subtype is highly localized in the circular layer of the myometrium during pregnancy. (-)-3-[125I]Cyanopindolol binding to slide-mounted sections of the pregnant uterus at 25 degrees C was time dependent (K1 = 4.68 x 10(8) M-1 min-1, K2 = -0.0117 min-1) and saturable (200 pM). Competition binding curves with beta-1 or beta-2 selective agonists (dobutamine, metaproterenol) and antagonists (atenolol, ICI 118,551) revealed the presence of beta adrenoceptors in the proportion of 67% beta-2 to 33% beta-1. Hyperfilm exposed to sections of the whole pregnant uterus incubated with (-)-3-[125I]cyanopindolol with or without ICI 118,551 or atenolol showed a high density of beta-2 adrenoceptors in the longitudinal layer of the myometrium and in the placenta. A small density of beta-2 adrenoceptors was also located in the decidua basalis on day 8 of pregnancy.     

Evidence for a noradrenergic innervation to "atypical" beta adrenoceptors (or putative beta-3 adrenoceptors) in the ileum of guinea pig.

Indirect evidence suggests that beta-1 adrenoceptors in the guinea pig ileum are innervated but it has not been determined whether "atypical" beta adrenoceptors also receive a postganglionic sympathetic innervation. To answer this question, experiments were undertaken using electrical stimulation of para-arterial sympathetic neurons to evoke relaxation in isolated segments of guinea pig ileum. Tension was developed in the ileal segments by either transmural electrical field stimulation to evoke the cholinergic "twitch" response, or by histamine to produce a steady-state contracture. Para-arterial sympathetic nerve stimulation evoked a frequency-dependent inhibition of the twitch response which was blocked by guanethidine and restored by dexamphetamine, indicating typical noradrenergic transmission. In preparations contracted with histamine and pretreated with benextramine to block alpha adrenoceptors, para-arterial sympathetic nerve stimulation evoked frequency-dependent relaxations which were reduced in magnitude but not abolished by the following beta adrenoceptor antagonists: bromoacetylalprenololmenthane (1 microM) or a combination of ICI 118,551 (0.3 microM) and CGP 20712A (0.1 microM). Remaining responses were blocked by compounds exhibiting affinity for atypical beta adrenoceptors, (-)-alprenolol (3 microM) and nadolol (300 microM), as well as the agonist (-)-isoproterenol (10 microM; to saturate the atypical beta adrenoceptor). However, relaxations to papaverine were unaffected by these treatments. Experiments revealed that potential cotransmitters (ATP, neuropeptide Y and somatostatin) do not appear to play a detectable role in relaxations produced by para-arterial sympathetic nerve stimulation. The results demonstrate, for the first time, that atypical beta adrenoceptors in guinea pig ileum receive a noradrenergic innervation.     

Heterogeneity of beta adrenoceptors in right atria isolated from cold-exposed rats

The chronotropic response of right atria isolated from 5-day-cold-exposed rats to isoproterenol and norepinephrine was studied. A large increase in the sensitivity of the pacemaker to isoproterenol and a decrease in the sensitivity to norepinephrine occurred. Determination of pA2 values of propranolol and metoprolol using isoproterenol and norepinephrine as agonists and analysis of the slopes of Schild plots suggested that in atria isolated from control rats the chronotropic effect of isoproterenol and norepinephrine resulted from the preferential interaction of the catecholamines with a homogeneous beta-1 adrenoceptor population. After cold exposure the affinity of atrial adrenoceptors for propranolol increased when the agonist was isoproterenol and decreased when norepinephrine was used. The slopes of the Schild plots of metoprolol when the agonists were isoproterenol or norepinephrine were not unitary unless the experiments were performed in the presence of butoxamine. However, butoxamine prevented the demonstration of cold-induced super-sensitivity to isoproterenol, leaving the subsensitivity to norepinephrine unaffected. It is concluded that cold-induced heterogeneity of the atrial beta adrenoceptors is responsible for the increased sensitivity to isoproterenol. Probably, subsensitivity to norepinephrine resulted from conformational alterations of the atrial beta-1 adrenoceptors.