Effects of adrenergic stimulation on ventilation in man

The mechanism by which catecholamines affect ventilation in man is not known. Ventilatory responses to catecholamines were observed in normal subjects before and after adrenergic receptor blockade. Intravenous infusions of norepinephrine and isoproterenol caused significant increases in minute volume and decreases in end-tidal P(Co2) which were blocked by the administration of propranolol, a beta adrenergic receptor blocker. The hyperventilatory response to hypoxia was not altered by propranolol.Intravenous infusion of phenylephrine caused a small but significant decrease in minute volume which was antagonized by phentolamine, an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker. Angiotensin, a nonadrenergic pressor agent, also decreased minute volume significantly.100% oxygen was administered to suppress arterial chemoreceptors. Increases in minute volume and decreases in arterial P(Co2) in response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol were blocked by breathing 100% oxygen. The decrease in minute volume during phenylephrine was not altered by 100% oxygen.THE RESULTS INDICATE THAT: (a) beta adrenergic receptors mediate the hyperventilatory response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol but not to hypoxia. (b) the pressor agents phenylephrine and angiotensin decrease ventilation, and (c) suppression of chemoreceptors blocks the ventilatory response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol but not to phenylephrine. Implications concerning the interaction of adrenergic receptors and chemoreceptors with respect to the hyperventilatory response to catecholamines are discussed.     

Effects of tertatolol on post- and prejunctional beta adrenoceptors

The effects of tertatolol, a new and powerful beta adrenoceptor blocking drug, on post- and prejunctional beta receptors were investigated; canine vascular tissues (saphenous veins, coronary arteries and splenic arteries) and guinea-pig trachea and atria were used. At concentrations below 10(-5) M, tertatolol did not alter basal tension or contractile responses to electrical stimulation, norepinephrine, K+ or prostaglandin F2 alpha; at doses at or above 10(-5) M the drug-evoked contractions which were reduced by phentolamine and were absent in denervated veins. Tertatolol at 10(-5) M and 3 X 10(-5) M augmented the basal efflux of [3H] norepinephrine in saphenous veins labeled with the 3H-transmitter. In veins, 10(-5) M of tertatolol depressed the contractions caused by electrical stimulation without affecting those to exogenous norepinephrine; this concentration of the drug also inhibited the stimulation-induced overflow of [3H]norepinephrine. The major part of the present study was designed to test the beta receptor blocking properties of tertatolol and to compare its effects with those of propranolol. Tertatolol inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, the relaxations caused by isoproterenol in saphenous veins, splenic arteries and coronary arteries and the relaxations evoked by norepinephrine and epinephrine in coronary arteries; the potency of tertatolol was higher than that of propranolol. In trachea and right atria of the guinea-pig, tertatolol inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, the dose-response curves to isoproterenol; the relative potency of tertatolol was higher than that of propranolol. In dog saphenous veins, previously incubated with [3H]norepinephrine, tertatolol (10(-7)M) blocked the increased stimulation-evoked overflow of the 3H-transmitter induced by isoproterenol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Vascular reactivity of isolated thoracic aorta of the C57BL/6J mouse

We characterized the thoracic aorta from the C57BL/6J mouse, a strain used commonly in the generation of genetically altered mice, in response to vasoactive substances. Strips of aorta were mounted in tissue baths for measurement of isometric contractile force. Cumulative concentration-response curves to agonists were generated to observe contraction, or relaxation in tissues contracted with phenylephrine or prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)). In endothelium-denuded strips, the order of agonist contractile potency (-log EC(50) [M]) was norepinephrine > phenylephrine = 5-hydroxytryptamine > dopamine > PGF(2alpha) > isoproterenol > KCl. Angiotensin II and endothelin-1 were weakly efficacious (15% of maximum phenylephrine contraction), as were UK14,304, clonidine, histamine, and adenosine. In endothelium-intact strips, agonists still caused contraction and both angiotensin II and endothelin-1 remained ineffective. In experiments focusing on angiotensin II, angiotensin II-induced contraction was abolished by the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan (1 microM) but was not enhanced in the presence of the AT(2) receptor antagonist PD123319 (0.1 microM), tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor orthovanadate (1 microM) or when angiotensin II was given noncumulatively. Prazosin abolished isoproterenol-induced contraction and did not unmask isoproterenol-induced relaxation. Angiotensin II and endothelin-1 did not cause endothelium-dependent or -independent relaxation in phenylephrine- or PGF(2alpha)-contracted tissues. Acetylcholine but not histamine, dopamine, or adenosine caused an endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. These experiments provide information as to the vascular reactivity of the normal mouse thoracic aorta and demonstrate that the mouse aorta differs substantially from rat aorta in response to isoproterenol, angiotensin II, endothelin-1, histamine, and adenosine.     

An in vitro quantitative analysis of the alpha adrenoceptor partial agonist activity of dobutamine and its relevance to inotropic selectivity

In rat anococcygeus muscle, dobutamine produced concentration-related submaximal contractions which were antagonized competitively by phentolamine (pKB = 8.3) and dobutamine antagonized norepinephrine-induced contractions in a competitive manner with an equilibrium dissociation constant for the alpha adrenoceptor of 20 nM (pKB = 7.7). Therefore, dobutamine satisfied criteria for a partial agonist of alpha adrenoceptors having an affinity for alpha adrenoceptors 25 times that of norepinephrine (pKA = 6.3) in this tissue. An estimate of the relative efficacy of dobutamine showed one-fortieth the the efficacy of norepinephrine at the alpha adrenoceptors. Dobutamine contracted rabbit aorta and produced concentration-related relaxations at 1000 times greater concentrations after alkylation of alpha adrenoceptors by phenoxybenzamine. In noncontracted canine saphenous vein, dobutamine had no visible agonist activity but did produce contractions after propranolol. In partially contracted saphenous vein, dobutamine produced a small contraction which was converted to a propranolol-sensitive relaxation of tone after phentolamine. Dobutamine was a full beta adrenoceptor agonist in guinea-pig trachea under spontaneous tone but a partial agonist after strong contraction by bethanechol. This allowed measurement of the pKB of dobutamine at beta adrenoceptors (pKB = 5.35) and estimation of efficacy at beta adrenoceptors relative to isoproterenol (eDob/eIso = 1/20). No evidence for beta adrenoceptor selectivity was found in studies of potency ratios and relative efficacy using isoproterenol for comparison. Dobutamine showed a slight (2-fold) selectivity for inotropy in vitro when compared to isoproterenol in guinea-pig right and left atria. This selectivity was removed by phentolamine suggesting a cardiac alpha-like adrenoceptor effect; this finding was confirmed in propranolol-treated guinea-pig left atria. These results are discussed in terms of the in vivo effects of dobutamine and its use as a tool for classification of beta adrenoceptors, particularly the putative presynaptic beta adrenoceptor.     

Interaction between alpha adrenergic and serotonergic activation of canine saphenous veins.

Serotonin and norepinephrine produced concentration-dependent contractions of helical strips of canine saphenous veins. The contractile responses to both agonists were inhibited by the alpha adrenergic receptor blocking agent phentolamine. Tolazoline inhibited the contractile responses of canine saphenous veins to norepinephrine but augmented those to serotonin. Blockade of adrenergic neuronal reuptake with cocaine enhanced the sensitivity of the canine saphenous vein to serotonin, but did not suppress the inhibition by phentolamine of the contractile responses to this indolealkylamine. Serotonin-mediated venoconstriction was not secondary to release of norepinephrine since it was not accompanied by an increased release of [7-3H]-norepinephrine. These findings suggest that serotonin does not contract canine saphenous veins by stimulation of typical serotonergic receptors. The binding sites for serotonin and norepinephrine in cutaneous venous smooth muscle may share part of a common receptor complex, which triggers the contractile process. Alternatively, serotonin and norepinephrine may act at two different receptors to elicit contraction of canine saphenous veins.     

Electrophysiological analysis of adrenergic neurotransmission and its modulation by chronic denervation in canine saphenous veins

The present experiments were undertaken to investigate the electrophysiological responses of the canine saphenous vein evoked by perivascular nerve stimulation, norepinephrine or selective alpha adrenergic agonists before and after chronic sympathetic denervation. Unilateral sympathectomy was performed from T12 to L9 in adult female dogs. After 3 to 5 weeks, the denervated saphenous veins were removed. Innervated saphenous veins were obtained from unoperated dogs. In innervated but not in denervated veins, electrical stimulation generated excitatory junction potentials and a slow depolarization. The slow depolarization was inhibited by rauwolscine or phentolamine, but not by prazosin, whereas excitatory junction potentials were not inhibited by alpha adrenergic blockers. Exogenously applied norepinephrine caused a depolarization of the membrane that was inhibited by rauwolscine but not by prazosin. The selective alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine, and the selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, UK 14,304, caused depolarization. In denervated veins, the threshold concentrations of norepinephrine or UK 14,304 required to depolarize the smooth muscle cell membrane were reduced. Responses to phenylephrine were not affected by denervation. These results indicate that in the canine saphenous vein norepinephrine, whether added exogenously or released from sympathetic nerves, causes predominant depolarization by activating alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. Denervation augments selectively the electrical response to alpha-2 adrenergic stimulation.     

Characterization of histamine receptors in isolated rabbit veins

Veins were isolated from 16 sites of the rabbit venous tree and responses to histamine and histamine receptor agonists were studied to characterize the histamine receptors. Isometric contraction and relaxation of ring segment preparations were recorded. Histamine produced concentration-dependent contractions in all veins in the resting state. Both the maximum response and pD2 value varied remarkably from vein to vein and regional differences in sensitivities to histamine varied considerably from previous findings in dog veins. Also in the precontracted state with a vasoconstricting agent, histamine predominantly contracted the veins. The contractile responses to histamine, in both resting and precontracted states, were antagonized competitively by the histamine H1-receptor antagonist, mepyramine. On the other hand, histamine relaxed the precontracted veins, in the presence of mepyramine. Selective H2-receptor agonists, dimaprit and impromidine, relaxed the precontracted veins even in the absence of mepyramine. These responses to histamine were antagonized competitively by the H2-receptor antagonist, cimetidine or ranitidine. The present study provides quantitative and systematic data regarding histamine receptors in rabbit veins. We propose that: 1) there are both vasoconstrictor H1-receptors and vasodilator H2-receptors, 2) histamine generally contracts rabbit veins through predominant H1-receptors and that 3) the H2-receptor-mediated relaxation does not depend on the presence of the endothelium.     

Mechanism of histamine-induced excitation of the cat pylorus.

Intravenous histamine causes high amplitude repetitive phasic contractions of the in vivo cat pylorus but has little effect on the antrum and duodenum. The genesis of this phasic response was studied using a pinned perfused catheter with openings at the pylorus, antrum, and duodenum. 2-Pyridylethylamine, an H1 agonist, produced phasic contractions similar to histamine whereas dimaprit, an H2 agonist, did not. Conversely, histamine-induced excitation is competitively antagonized by the H1 inhibitor diphenhydramine but not by the H2 inhibitor cimetidine. Thus histamine excitation is mediated through H1 receptor stimulation. Tetrodotoxin caused inhibition of the histamine response indicating that pyloric excitation is partly mediated through a neural pathway. To identify the nature of this pathway adrenergic and cholinergic blockers were used. Atropine, hexamethonium, and propranolol had no effect on the histamine response. Phentolamine and reserpine increased the magnitude of the histamine response. Conversely, phenylephrine blocked the histamine response. We conclude: histamine induces high phasic contractions in the pylorus; this effect is mediated through neural (nonadrenergic noncholinergic) and myogenic H1 receptors; alpha adrenergic stimulation inhibits the histamine response and alpha adrenergic blockade and catecholamine depletion increase it.     

Effects of CRL 41034 on the adrenergic neuroeffector interaction in the canine saphenous vein

Experiments were designed to determine the effect of CRL 41034, a buflomedil analogue, on the adrenergic responsiveness of canine veins. Rings of saphenous vein (without endothelium) were suspended for isometric tension recording in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution at 37 degrees C. CRL 41034 produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the contractions evoked by the alpha adrenergic agonists norepinephrine, phenylephrine and UK 14304 which was insensitive to the blockade of neuronal uptake by cocaine. CRL 41034 was more potent in inhibiting the concentration-dependent contractions evoked by UK 14304 than those by phenylephrine and the antagonism it caused against the response to UK 14304 fulfilled the criteria for competitivity. CRL 41034, at 10(-5) M significantly depressed, and at 10(-4) M abolished the contractions induced by electrical stimulation of the adrenergic nerves and those evoked by the indirect sympathomimetic amine tyramine. Strips of canine saphenous vein were superfused after incubation with [3H] norepinephrine. During sympathetic nerve activation, CRL 41304 increased the stimulation-evoked overflow of [3H] norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-dihydroxyphenylglycol; in the presence of rauwolscine the compound only increased the stimulation-evoked overflow of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol. These experiments suggest that the major vascular effects of CRL 41034 in canine veins are blockade of alpha 2-adrenoceptors on vascular smooth muscle, and inhibition of prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors on adrenergic nerve endings.     

Responses to dopamine of isolated human and monkey veins compared with those of the arteries.

Isolated human gastroepiploic vein tributaries responded to dopamine only with contractions, whereas the gastroepiploic artery branches in the same region of the omentum responded with relaxations. Treatment with phentolamine converted the vein contraction to a relaxation, which was not influenced by propranolol but was abolished by droperidol. The relaxation was converted to a contraction by SCH23390 but unaffected by domperidone. Endothelium denudation abolished the relaxation caused by substance P but did not significantly alter the dopamine-induced relaxation. Dopamine increased the cyclic AMP content in the human veins. Monkey mesenteric, renal and portal veins and vena cava contracted in response to dopamine. Treatment with phentolamine converted the contraction to a slight relaxation in the mesenteric and renal veins; however, even in the presence of high concentrations of the alpha adrenoceptor antagonist, no relaxation was induced in the portal vein and vena cava partially contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha. It is concluded that gastroepiploic veins and arteries in the human omentum respond quite differently to dopamine; the alpha adrenoceptor-mediated contraction predominates over the relaxation mediated via dopamine D1 receptor subtype in the veins, and vice versa in the arteries. Dopamine relaxes the human vein, possibly as a result of increased production of intracellular cyclic AMP by stimulation of D1 receptors. The predominant action of dopamine on alpha adrenoceptors may contribute to increasing venous return and cardiac output.     

Vascular effects of ketanserin (R 41 468), a novel antagonist of 5-HT2 serotonergic receptors

The serotonergic receptor antagonist 3-(2-[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl)-2,4-[1H,3H]quinazolinedione Ketanserin (R 41 468) caused a dose-dependent inhibition on the contractile responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine of isolated rat caudal artery, canine basilar, carotid, coronary and gastrosplenic arteries, canine gastrosplenic veins (threshold 10(-10)-10(-9) M) and canine saphenous veins (threshold 10(-8) M). In concentrations up to 2.5 X 10(-5) M, it did not have agonistic properties. From 10(-8) M on, R 41 468 inhibited the contractions of rat caudal arteries and canine saphenous veins caused by postjunctional alpha adrenergic activation. In the rat caudal artery, R 41 468, in concentrations which did not affect the contractile response to norepinephrine, abolished the amplifying effect of low concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine on alpha adrenergic activation. In the canine saphenous vein, R 41 468 did not affect the prejunctional inhibitory effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine during sympathetic nerve stimulation. In the perfused guinea-pig stomach, R 41 468 depressed and in certain experiments reversed the vasoconstrictor response to 5-hydroxytryptamine. In isolated perfused kidneys from both normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats, R 41 468, in concentrations which did not depress vasoconstrictor responses to exogenous norepinephrine, inhibited those to 5-hydroxytryptamine. The compound caused a dose-related reduction in aortic blood pressure in unanesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats, which was larger and occurred at lower concentrations, than in control animals. These results demonstrate that R 41 468 is a potent antagonist of the vasoconstrictor effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine, in particular of its amplifying effect on threshold amounts of norepinephrine, which may help explain its antihypertensive properties.     

Pertussis toxin reduces endothelium-dependent and independent responses to alpha-2- adrenergic stimulation in systemic canine arteries and veins.

A pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein) is involved in the signal transduction of certain endothelium-dependent responses in mammalian arteries. To determine whether a similar mechanism mediates endothelium-dependent responses in mammalian veins, rings of canine femoral arteries and veins with and without endothelium were suspended for the measurement of isometric force in organ chambers. In femoral arteries, incubation of the rings with pertussis toxin (from Bordetella pertussis, 100 ng/ml for 2 hr) in the presence of indomethacin and propranolol did not reduce significantly endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine and adenosine diphosphate, thrombin or the calcium ionophore A23187. However, endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist UK 14,304 were blocked by the pertussis toxin. In venous rings, endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were reduced by the toxin, whereas the endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by adenosine diphosphate, thrombin and A23187 were not affected. UK 14,304 contracted the veins; these contractions were augmented by removal of the endothelium. Pertussis toxin inhibited contractions to UK 14,304 in venous rings without but not with endothelium. Relaxations of arterial and venous smooth muscle to nitric oxide were unaffected by the toxin. Contractions to phenylephrine were not altered by either removal of the endothelium or the toxin in the arteries or veins. These results suggest that the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in response to stimulation of purine and thrombin receptors probably does not involve a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein in canine femoral arteries or veins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of milrinone on contractile responses of guinea pig trachea, lung parenchyma and pulmonary artery

The effects of milrinone, a bipyridine with known vasodilator activity, on guinea pig tracheal-spirals, lung parenchymal strips and pulmonary artery rings in vitro were compared with the effects of isoproterenol and aminophylline on these tissues. The concentration of milrinone that produced 50% relaxation (IC50) of tracheal spirals constricted by carbachol was 3.6 X 10(-5) M. Isoproterenol (IC50, 9.5 X 10(-8) M) was significantly (P less than .001) more potent and aminophylline (IC50, 1.2 X 10(-4) M) was significantly (P less than .001) less potent than milrinone in this effect. The IC50 for milrinone for lung parenchymal strips contracted by histamine was 3.2 X 10(-5) M, whereas the IC50 for isoproterenol was significantly (P less than .001) less, 1.4 X 10(-7) M; aminophylline produced only limited relaxation of lung parenchymal strips. Milrinone relaxed pulmonary artery rings constricted by norepinephrine with an IC50 of 3.8 X 10(-6) M, whereas neither isoproterenol nor aminophylline produced a 50% relaxation. Pretreatment of tracheal spirals, lung parenchymal strips and pulmonary artery rings with 1.6 X 10(-4) M milrinone inhibited subsequent contraction by carbachol, histamine and norepinephrine, respectively. The relaxant effects of milrinone were not influenced by treatment with atropine, cimetidine, mepyramine, phentolamine or propranolol. However, indomethacin blocked milrinone's relaxant effects on tracheal spirals effectively, but not on pulmonary artery rings or lung parenchymal strips, suggesting distinct modes of action on various tissue types.     

Differential localization of P2 receptor subtypes in mesenteric arteries and veins of normotensive and hypertensive rats

ATP acts at P2 receptors to contract blood vessels and reactivity to vasoconstrictor agents is often altered in hypertension. This study was designed to identify P2 receptors in mesenteric arteries and veins and to determine whether ATP reactivity is altered in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. Computer-assisted video microscopy was used to measure vessel diameter in vitro. ATP was a more potent constrictor of veins (EC(50) = 2.7 microM) than arteries (EC(50) = 196 microM) from normotensive rats; there was no change in ATP reactivity in vessels from DOCA-salt rats. The P2X1 receptor agonist alpha,beta-methylene ATP (alpha,beta-MeATP, 0.03-3 microM) contracted arteries but not veins. ATP-induced contractions in arteries were blocked by alpha,beta-MeATP (3 microM) desensitization. 2-Methylthio-ATP (0.1-10 microM), an agonist that can act at P2Y1 receptors, did not contract arteries or veins, whereas UTP, an agonist at rat P2Y2/P2Y4 receptors, contracted veins (EC(50) = 15 microM) and arteries (EC(50) = 24 microM). UTP-induced contractions of veins cross-desensitized with ATP, whereas UTP-induced contractions in arteries were unaffected by alpha,beta-MeATP-desensitization. The P2X/P2Y1 receptor antagonist pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4-disulfonic acid blocked ATP-induced contractions of arteries (IC(50) = 4.8 microM) but not veins. Suramin, an antagonist that blocks P2Y2 receptors, partly inhibited ATP- and UTP-induced contractions of veins. Immunohistochemical studies revealed P2X1 receptor immunoreactivity in arteries but not veins. These data indicate that mesenteric vascular reactivity to ATP is not altered in DOCA-salt hypertension. ATP acts at P2X1 and P2Y2 receptors to contract mesenteric arteries and veins, respectively, whereas in arteries UTP acts at an unidentified P2 receptor.     

Alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptor: response coupling in canine saphenous and femoral veins

The aim of the present study was to analyze alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptor response coupling in isolated canine blood vessels. Rings of saphenous and femoral veins and of femoral arteries were suspended for isometric tension recording in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution, gassed with 95% O2-5% CO2 and maintained at 37 degrees C. Dissociation constants for the alpha-1 adrenergic agonists, phenylephrine and cirazoline, and the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, UK 14,304, were determined by analysis of concentration-effect curves to the agonists under control conditions and after partial inactivation of alpha adrenoceptors by phenoxybenzamine. The dissociation constant of phenylephrine for alpha-1 adrenoceptors in saphenous veins was approximately 10-fold higher than that obtained for the agonist in femoral arteries or femoral veins. Similarly the dissociation constant for cirazoline in the saphenous vein was higher than that obtained in other alpha-1 adrenergic systems. Dissociation constants were used to determine alpha adrenoceptor occupancy-response relationships. The alpha-1 adrenergic responses evoked by high intrinsic-efficacy agonists (cirazoline and phenylephrine) were associated with a very large receptor-reserve in the saphenous vein, but no, or only a limited receptor-reserve in the femoral vein. The dissociation constant for UK 14,304 in saphenous veins was significantly lower than that obtained for alpha-2 adrenergic stimulation by norepinephrine. There was no alpha-2 adrenoceptor reserve in the saphenous vein for these putative high intrinsic-efficacy agonists. The differences in receptor-reserve between alpha-1 adrenoceptors in canine saphenous and femoral veins and between alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors in saphenous veins may help to explain the differential modulation of adrenergic responses in these blood vessels.     

The influence of mecamylamine on contractions induced by different agonists and on the role of calcium ions in the isolated rabbit aorta.

The exposure of helically cut strips of rabbit aorta to mecamylamine (1 mM) for 5 minutes blocked the histamine (3.25 muM)-induced contractions completely and reduced those induced by potassium (25mM, 68%) without affecting contractions induced by norepinephrine (3.0 muM, NE) or acetylcholine (10 muM). Mecamylamine, by itself, did not exhibit agonist activity, but it increased the contractile tension of the muscle which was contracted by NE. The responses to NE were either enhanced or not affected by small doses of mecamylamine (1 mM), but were partially blocked by large doses of mecamylamine (10 mM). The antagonism exhibited by mecamylamine in low doses (1 mM) against the above agonists was reversible. The shape of the response to NE on the muscle, which was treated with a high dose of mecamylamine (20 mM) and washed, was significantly different from that of the control. Our results are consistent with the following conclusions: 1) Mecamylamine in low doses (1 mM) blocks the histamine receptor and therefore the histamine-induced contractions. Two molecules of mecamylamine are competitive with 1 molecule of histamine. 2) Mecamylamine blocks the potassium-induced contractions, but does not block completely the calcium influx in the potassium-depolarized muscles. Therefore, it may interfere partially with the utilization of extracellular or loosely bound calcium during potassium-induced contractions. 3) Mecamylamine in high doses (10 mM) partially blocks norepinephrine-induced contractions by affecting firmly bound calcium stores. 4) Procaine antagonizes the effects of NE, histamine and acetylcholine by affecting, at least partially, the firmly bound calcium stores.     

Regional differences in relaxation of electric field-stimulated canine airway smooth muscle by verapamil, isoproterenol and prostaglandin E2

Regional differences in contraction produced by methacholine and electric field stimulation (EFS) and in relaxation produced by isoproterenol, prostaglandin E2 and verapamil were studied in isolated canine airway smooth muscle in vitro. Low-frequency EFS (3 Hz, 0.5 msec, 50 V) contracted thoracic trachealis to 43% of maximal EFS response, whereas cervical trachealis contracted to only 14% of maximum. EFS at 10 Hz produced 75% of the maximal response in both regions of the trachea. These EFS responses were abolished by 0.1 microM tetrodotoxin and 1.0 microM atropine. Contraction produced by EFS was also matched in each tissue by contraction with methacholine. The concentrations of methacholine that matched EFS at 10 Hz were 52 +/- 7, 378 +/- 84 and 66 +/- 11 nM for cervical and thoracic trachealis and lobar bronchi, respectively. Both EFS and matched methacholine contractions of cervical trachealis and lobar bronchi were completely relaxed by isoproterenol, whereas thoracic trachealis relaxed maximally to only 60% of induced tone. When verapamil was used to relax EFS and matched methacholine contractions, cervical trachealis was completely relaxed whereas thoracic trachealis relaxed to 15% of induced tone. Although there was a regional difference in the relaxant potency of isoproterenol and, to some extent, verapamil, there was no difference in isoproterenol or verapamil EC50 values for EFS vs. matched methacholine contractions within each region. In contrast, EFS contractions of thoracic trachealis were more sensitive to prostaglandin E2-induced relaxation than were matched methacholine contractions. These data demonstrate marked differences in cholinergic and beta adrenergic receptor-mediated responses between regions of the tracheobronchial tree.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of 5-HT2 receptors in serotonin-induced contractions of nonvascular smooth muscle

Vascular receptors responsible for serotonin-induced contractions are of the 5-HT2 subtype (site in brain cortical membranes that is preferentially radiolabeled by [3H]spiperone) whereas serotonin receptors mediating contraction in nonvascular smooth muscle have not been extensively studied. The present in vitro studies using the 5-HT2 receptor antagonists ketanserin, LY53857 and 1-(1-naphthyl)piperazine show that serotonin-induced contractions in the rat uterus and guinea-pig trachea are also mediated by interaction with 5-HT2 receptors. Prazosin, but not the serotonin receptor antagonists, blocked serotonin-induced contractions in the rat vas deferens, indicating that alpha adrenergic and not 5-HT1 or 5-HT2 receptors mediate the contractile response to serotonin in this tissue. Because selective 5-HT2 receptor antagonists did not block contractions to serotonin in the rat fundus or guinea-pig ileum, receptors in these gastrointestinal tissues are clearly not 5-HT2. However, contractions to serotonin in the fundus but not in the ileum were blocked by certain antagonists [metergoline and 1-(1-naphthyl)piperazine] demonstrating that the receptors involved in serotonin-induced contractions in the fundus are different from the ileum. Other differences between the fundus and ileum in serotonin-induced contractions include: 1) the potency of serotonin is greater in the fundus than in the ileum; and 2) the primary action of serotonin in the fundus is activation of a postsynaptic receptor on the smooth muscle whereas, in the ileum, serotonin exerts an indirect neuronal action to effect acetylcholine release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Adrenergic Control of Lower Esophageal Sphincter Function: AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF DENERVATION SUPERSENSITIVITY

To evaluate the adrenergic regulation of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function, LES pressure, LES relaxation during swallowing, and blood pressure were measured in the anesthetized opossum, Didelphis virginiana, during intravenous administration of alpha and beta adrenergic agonists and antagonists. Studies were done in controls and animals adrenergically denervated with 6-hydroxydopamine. Alpha adrenergic agonists (norepinephrine, phenylephrine) increased LES pressure and blood pressure, whereas a beta adrenergic agonist (isoproterenol) decreased both pressures. Alpha adrenergic antagonism (phentolamine) reduced basal LES pressure by 38.3+/-3.8% (mean +/-SEM) (P < 0.001). Beta adrenergic antagonism (propranolol) had no significant effect on either basal LES pressure or percent of LES relaxation with swallowing. After adrenergic denervation with 6-hydroxydopamine, basal LES pressure was reduced by 22.5+/-5.3% (P < 0.025) but LES relaxation during swallowing was unaltered. In denervated animals, both LES pressure and blood pressure dose response curves showed characteristics of denervation supersensitivity to alpha but not to beta adrenergic agonists. These studies suggest: (a) a significant portion of basal LES pressure is dependent upon alpha adrenergic stimulation; (b) LES relaxation during swallowing is not an adrenergically mediated response; (c) the LES pressure response to alpha adrenergic agonists after 6-hydroxydopamine may serve as a model of denervation supersensitivity in the gastrointestinal tract.     

Effect of age on beta adrenergic relaxation of the rat jugular vein

Using the Fisher 344 rat model and blood vessel ring segments in vitro, age-related changes in vascular beta adrenergic relaxation were investigated. In the pulmonary artery and aorta, maximum isoproterenol-induced relaxation and sensitivity to isoproterenol declined from 1 to 3 months of age confirming previous reports. In animals 6 months of age, these vessels no longer relaxed to isoproterenol. In the jugular vein, in which beta adrenergic mechanisms predominate, there was no change in maximum relaxation to isoproterenol or in EC50 values in animals 3 to 27 months of age. Furthermore, determination of propranolol dissociation constants (KB) showed no change in affinity up to 27 months of age. Thus, in venous smooth muscle, in contrast to arteries, beta adrenergic relaxation is well maintained through senescence.