Characterization by cyproheptadine of the dopamine-induced contraction in canine isolated arteries.

Spirally cut strips of isolated canine femoral and carotid arteries were used to characterize the vasoconstrictor effect of dopamine. A serotonin antagonist, cyproheptadine, 10- minus 7, 3 X 10- minus 7 and 10-minus 6 M, inhibited dopamine (pA2 = 7.46 plus or minus 0.11), tryptamine (pA2 = 7.38 plus or minus 0.09) and serotonin-induced contractions (pA2 = 7.59 plus or minus 0.09). Cyproheptadine shifted the threshold concentration of dopamine 2 log units to the right without altering norepinephrine response. In protection experiments, preincubation with serotonin (10-minus 5 M) for 10 minutes protected serotonin and tryptamine receptors from cyproheptadine (3 X 10-minus 7 M) and phenoxybenzamine (10-minus 6 M) blockade. Serotonin cross-protected dopamine receptors also. Reciprocally dopamine (10-minus 4 M) protected its own receptors as well as those for serotonin and tryptamine. Norepinephrine did not afford any protection of dopamine, serotonin or tryptamine receptors but did protect its own receptors from phenoxybenzamine blockade. The attempt to characterize the receptor subserving dopamine-induced contraction failed to confirm a relationship between dopamine and alpha adrenoceptors. Since dopamine, tryptamine and serotonin, unlike norepinephrine, were sensitive to cyproheptadine blockade, dopamine-induced contraction appeared to be mediated by a receptor closely related to serotonin receptors. Therefore, alpha adrenoceptors may not be exclusively involved in the vasoconstriction evoked by dopamine on canine vasculature.     

Analysis of the effect of 5-hydroxykynurenamine,, a serotonin metabolite, on isolated cerebral arteries, aortas and atria.

In helically cut strips of dog and human cerebral arteries, the addition of 5-hydroxykynurenamine (5-HK) caused dose-related contractions, and this contractile response was attenuated by methysergide and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Treatment of the strips with 5-HK in concentrations higher than 2 X 10- minus 6 M shifted the dose-response curve of serotonin to the right and downward. The inhibitory effect of 5-HK was reversed only partially by repeated washings, whereas the inhibition caused by methysergide and LSD was completely reversed. The contractile response to K-+ (30 mM) was reduced only slightly even at the highest concentration of 5-HK used (5 X 10-minus 5 M). In strips of rabbit aortas, the contractile effect of serotonin was markedly attenuated by 5-HK, whereas that of norepinephrine was reduced only slightly. In isolated rabbit right atria, 5-HK produced a transient increase in the rate as did serotonin, 5-HK being approximately 1/20 as potent as serotonin. The positive effect was not influenced by methysergide but was markedly attenuated or abolished by 10-minus 6 M propranolol and 3 X 10-minus 6 M cocaine. Treatment with 5-HK (5 X 10-minus 5 M) did not modify the chronotropic response to isoproterenol. It appears that 5-HK produces vascular contractions via serotonergic receptors, inhibits specifically the contractile response of arteries and aortas to serotonin and causes a tachycardia in rabbit atria by liberating catecholamines from adrenergic nerves.     

The beta adrenergic receptors of chromatophores of the frog, Rana pipiens.

The isolated skin of Rana pipiens was found to be a suitable model for the quantitative study of chromatophore beta adrenergic receptors uninfluenced by prejunctional phenomena. Cumulative concentration-response curves for adrenergic agonists were obtained in preparations in which effective alpha adrenergic blockade had been produced with phenoxybenzamine. The beta adrenergic agonists darkened the preparation, as did melanocyte-stimulating hormone, but the maximum effects differed. The maximum of the l-isoproterenol cumulative concentration-response curve was approximately 50% less than that of melanocyte-stimulating hormone, while the maxima for l-epinephrine and l-norepinephrine were significantly less than that for isoproterenol. Microscopic examination revealed a qualitative difference: while maximal darkening produced by melanocyte-stimulating hormone was associated with maximal changes in both interspot melanophores and iridophores, maximal adrenergic-induced darkening was associated with maximal iridophore granule concentration only. No qualitative differences could be observed in the darkening caused by the three adrenergic agonists. The beta adrenergic potencies of l-norepinephrine and l-isoproterenol relative to l-epinephrine were determined by four-point bioassay. Isoproterenol was found to be 138 times as potent as epinephrine, while norepinephrine was 4 times as potent. Similarly, antagonism of isoproterenol-induced darkening of phenoxybenzamine-pretreated skin samples by the beta adrenergic blocking agents dl-propranolol, dl-sotalol, dl-practolol, l-butoxamine and d-butoxamine was studied, and their KB and pA2 values, respectively, were found to be: dl-propranolol (1.44 X 10(-8)M, 7.81); dl-sotalol (7.25 X 10(-8)M, 7.23); l-butoxamine (6.92 X 10(-6)M, 5.10); dl-practolol (1.91 X 10(-5)M, 4.96); d-butoxamine (no activity). Comparison of the potency ratios and pA2 values cited above with similar parameters obtained by other investigators in several mammalian tissues suggests that there is wide variation among beta adrenergic receptors.     

The role of norepinephrine in the regulation of fluid absorption in the rat proximal tubule

In order to investigate the possibility of a direct effect of adrenergic transmitter on tubular fluid absorption, we have studied the effects of norepinephrine and phenoxybenzamine on fluid absorption in the proximal convoluted tubule of the rat kidney. Net fluid absorption (Jv) was determined in the same proximal convoluted tubule before and after addition of norepinephrine or phenoxybenzamine while the tubular lumen and peritubular capillaries were simultaneously microperfused in situ. When the tubular lumen was perfused with Ringer's solution and the peritubular capillaries were perfused with albumin Ringer's solution, Jv was 2.85 +/- 0.25 nl/min X nm. Addition of 2 X 10(-6) M norepinephrine to the capillary perfusate caused at 30% increase in Jv which could be reversed by removing the adrenergic transmitter. The effect of norepinephrine was dose dependent with the maximal increase of Jv observed at a concentration of 10(-5) M. Addition of 2 X 10(-6) M phenoxybenzamine to the capillary perfusate caused a 16% decrease in Jv while the simultaneous administration of norepinephrine and phenoxybenzamine to the capillary perfusate caused a 25% decrease in Jv. On the other hand, there was no effect observed on Jv when either norepinephrine or phenoxybenzamine was added to the luminal perfusate. These results suggest that adrenergic nerves may participate in the regulation of tubular fluid absorption through the direct action of norepinephrine on alpha adrenergic receptors located on the basolateral membrane of proximal tubular cells.     

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.     

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.     

Contractile actions of racemic and d-propranolol on isolated canine mesenteric and coronary arteries

This investigation was undertaken to determine whether propranolol exerts a direct vasoconstriction action which contributes to the increased systemic and regional vascular resistance observed after its acute administration. Helically cut strips of canine mesenteric and coronary arteries were exposed to cumulative concentrations of racemic propranolol, d-propranolol, metoprolol and sotalol. Racemic and d-propranolol were equipotent in eliciting concentration-related increments in tension in the mesenteric (3 x 10(-6)-3 x 10(-5) M) and coronary (3 x 10(-7)-3 x 10(-5) M) arterial strips. Metoprolol and sotalol did not cause contractions in concentrations up to 10(-4) M. Phenoxybenzamine, 10-(-6) M, did not alter the contractile responses elicited by racemic and d-propranolol. Upon exposure of mesenteric strips to calcium-free media or 10(-6) M verapamil, the contractile responses to propranolol (3 x 10(-5) M) and KCl (30 mM) were markedly reduced (not significantly different), whereas norepinephrine (10(-6) M)-induced responses were inhibited to a significantly lesser degree. In coronary arteries exposed to calcium-free media or 10(-6) M verapamil, the responses to propranolol, KCl and methoxamine (10(-5) M) were all extensively decreased (not significantly different). These results indicate that propranolol exerts a direct contractile effect on canine mesenteric and coronary arteries, which is unrelated to its beta adrenergic blocking activity and is not mediated through action on alpha adrenergic receptors. The propranolol-induced contraction appears to be associated predominantly with an influx of calcium ion.     

Differential effects of the isomers of tetramisole on adrenergic neurotransmission in cutaneous veins of dog.

Clinical observations indicate that dexamisole and levamisole, the isomers of tetramisole, cause mood elevation. Their effects on smooth muscle cells and adrenergic nerves were investigated in strips of dogs' saphenous veins. Dexamisole (2.5 X 10(-6) to 4 X 10(-5) M) augmented the contractile response to norepinephrine but depressed that to tyramine; cocaine inhibited the augmentation of the norepinephrine response. Levamisole (10(-5) M) did not alter the response to norepinephrine, but augmented that to tyramine. At 1.6 X 10(-4) M dexamisole, more than levamisole, depressed the responses to norepinephrine, tyramine and acetylcholine. Activation by K+ ions was not affected by the isomers. Preparations, incubated with 3H-norepinephrine, were mounted for superfusion, tension recording and determination of 3H-norepinephrine and metabolites in the superfusate. Dexamisole and levamisole augmented the 3H-norepinephrine overflow during nerve stimulation; levamisole decreased the efflux of deaminated metabolites. During tyramine-induced contractions, dexamisole depressed and levamisole augmented the efflux of 3H-norepinephrine; they reduced the appearance of metabolites. The increases in 3H-norepinephrine caused by the isomers during nerve stimulation were not seen after phenoxybenzamine. Dexamisole, more than levamisole, inhibited tissular uptake of 3H-norepinephrine. Levamisole, more than dexamisole, inhibited monoamine oxidase activity in vein homogenates. These interferences with release and disposition of norepinephrine may be related to the antidepressant properties of the tetramisole isomers.     

Pharmacological differentiation of postsynaptic alpha adrenoceptors in the dog saphenous vein

The dog saphenous vein has postsynaptic subpopulations of both alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors which are easily demonstrable using selective agonists and antagonists. Specific alpha-1 (methoxamine and SK&F 89748) or mixed alpha-1, alpha-2 (l-norepinephrine and M7) agonists as well as the specific alpha-2 agonist, BHT 920, cause concentration-related contraction of this tissue. However, maximum contractions produced by alpha-2 activation are significantly less than maximum contractions produced by alpha-1 or combined alpha-1, alpha-2 adrenoceptor activation. SK&F 89748-induced contractions are competitively inhibited by prazosin (pA2 = 7.74) and rauwolscine (pA2 = 6.63); BHT 920-induced contractions are unaffected by prazosin but inhibited by rauwolscine (pA2 = 8.93). Contractile responses to l-norepinephrine are inhibited by prazosin, rauwolscine or phenoxybenzamine in a manner that suggests that norepinephrine interacts with two subtypes of alpha adrenoceptors in this tissue. These data indicate that the dog saphenous vein strip is a suitable in vitro preparation for study of drug action at both postsynaptic adrenoceptors inasmuch as either subpopulation of alpha adrenoceptor can be studied independently using specific agonists or antagonists.     

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)     

Dissociation constants and relative efficacies of agonists acting on alpha adrenergic receptors in rabbit aorta.

The dissociation constants (KA values) of l-norepinephrine (l-NE) and seven other agonists acting on alpha adrenergic receptors in rabbit aorta strips were determined by analysis of concentration-response data before and after fractional inactivation of receptors with Dibenamine. In experiments to determine KA values, propranolol was added to block activation of beta receptors and cocaine to block the neuronal uptake mechanism. The KA of l-NE and the KA of a second agonist, when determined on paired strips from the same aorta, were used to calculate the relative affinity and the relative efficacy (er) of the second agonist as compared to l-NE. The validity of the method used for determining KA and er values was supported by the following findings. 1) The dissociation constant (KB) of the competitive antagonist, phentolamine, determined with each of the agonists, was the same as that determined with l-NE. 2) The KA determined for l-NE was independent of the fraction of active receptors remaining (q) after pretreatment with different concentrations of Dibenamine. 3) The KB of phentolamine determined with l-NE as the agonist was the same before and after fractional inactivation of receptors. 4) After inactivation in paired strips by equal exposures to Dibenamine, the q value determined with each agonist was the same as that determined with l-NE. The mean KA value for l-NE was 3.39 +/- 0.15 X 10(-7) M. The mean relative affinities of the agonists for the alpha receptor were: l-NE, 1;L-EPINEPHRINE, 1.25; L-PHENYLEPHRINE, 0.200; L-norphenylephrine, 0.217; epinine, 0.136; dopamine, 0.0055; l-alpha-methylnorepinephrine, 0.095; dl-alpha-ethylnorepinephrine, 0.0048. The mean er of each agonist was not significantly different from that of l-NE, except for l-norphenylephrine with an e of 0.71, and dl-alpha-ethylnorepinephrine with an er of 0.41. The results are discussed from the standpoint of structure-activity relationships.     

Classification of phenoxybenzamine/prazosin-resistant contractions of rat spleen to norepinephrine by Schild analysis: similarities and differences to postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors

The striking resistance of norepinephrine contractions of rat splenic strips to antagonism by the selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin was examined by Schild analysis. Prazosin was a simple competitive antagonist of contractions to phenylephrine indicating that this tissue possesses alpha-1 adrenoceptors. In contrast, the Schild regression for prazosin, with norepinephrine as the agonist, was nonlinear and had an overall slope of 0.24. These data indicated that norepinephrine activated a prazosin-resistant adrenoceptor in this tissue. As a working hypothesis, it was assumed that the prazosin-resistant receptor was an alpha-2 adrenoceptor; the concomitant addition of yohimbine, in concentrations below those required to block alpha-1 adrenoceptors, converted the atypical Schild regression for prazosin (norepinephrine as agonist) to a linear regression identical with that found for antagonism of phenylephrine responses. Selective alkylation of alpha-1 adrenoceptors with phenoxybenzamine (POB) eliminated responses to phenylephrine but not those to norepinephrine. After POB-alkylation and in the presence of a concentration of prazosin that was sufficient to produce a profound blockade of alpha-1 adrenoceptors, a response to norepinephrine remained. It was determined that the POB/prazosin-resistant response most likely was mediated by a homogeneous population of receptors by the finding that the Schild regressions for both yohimbine and idazoxan were identical with respect to slope and elevation when either norepinephrine or cobefrin were utilized as agonists, i.e., a difference in the regressions for these antagonists would be expected if the two agonists activated a heterogeneous receptor population.(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.     

An examination of the ability of d-tubocurarine to evoke contraction and mediator release from superfused trachea and parenchymal strips isolated from the guinea pig

The relationship between curare-induced mediator release and contraction in superfused guinea pig trachea and parenchymal strips was examined. In trachea, curare produced histamine release and contraction with peak release occurring in the first 90 sec (collection period 1) after challenge. Peak contraction developed later (collection periods 4-6). Curare-induced contraction of parenchymal strips was inconsistent and smaller than that found in trachea. No histamine could be detected in parenchymal strip superfusate samples. Curare also was selective in releasing histamine from monodispersed airway cells vs. peripheral lung cells. No leukotriene bioactivity or immunoreactivity could be detected after curare challenge of tissues or cell suspensions. Tracheal contractions, but not histamine release, occurring early (first 5 or 6 collection periods) after challenge were antagonized by mepyramine, 10(-6) M, and phenoxybenzamine, 3 X 10(-5) M. Combination of FPL55712, 10(-5) M, with mepyramine did not further alter tracheal contraction. Contractions occurring later after challenge and total histamine release were enhanced by indomethacin, 5 X 10(-6) M. Indomethacin also increased contractions in the presence of mepyramine. With mepyramine and indomethacin, LY171883, 1 and 3 X 10(-6) M, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, 3 X 10(-5) M, antagonized tracheal contractions to curare, 3 X 10(-3) M, but not to 1 X 10(-3) M, without altering histamine release. Indomethacin prolonged return to base line of tracheal tension after challenge with exogenous histamine. After addition of LY171883 or nordihydroguaiaretic acid, the return of tracheal tension after histamine was not different from that seen without drug pretreatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Alpha adrenergic receptor subtypes in human, monkey and dog cerebral arteries

In helical strips of human and monkey cerebral arteries, norepinephrine produced a greater contraction than that in dog cerebral arteries. In monkey cerebral arteries, phenylephrine and norepinephrine produced a similar magnitude of maximum contractions, although the ED50 value of phenylephrine was approximately 5.6 times greater than that of norepinephrine. Clonidine (up to 10(-5) M) did not produce contractions. Dog cerebral arteries responded to phenylephrine in high concentrations with a greater contraction than that induced by norepinephrine and to clonidine with significant contractions. Contractions induced by norepinephrine of human and monkey cerebral arteries were attenuated by low concentrations of prazosin but were not influenced by yohimbine in concentrations up to 10(-8) M. In contrast, norepinephrine-induced contractions of dog cerebral arteries were attenuated by yohimbine but were unaffected by prazosin. It appears that norepinephrine-induced contractions are mediated by alpha-2 adrenoceptors in dog cerebral arteries and by alpha-1 receptors in human and monkey cerebral arteries as well as monkey and dog mesenteric arteries. The relative unresponsiveness of monkey and dog cerebral arteries to adrenergic nerve stimulation may not be explained by a paucity of alpha adrenoceptors in neuroeffector junction.     

Beta-adrenergic agonists increase lung liquid clearance in anesthetized sheep.

We did experiments to determine whether beta-adrenergic agonists increase lung liquid clearance in anesthetized ventilated adult sheep and, if so, whether the increase is mediated by beta receptors and what mechanism is involved. We instilled 100 ml of autologous serum either alone or with a beta-adrenergic agonist (terbutaline, 10(-5) M, or epinephrine, 5.5 X 10(-6) M) into one lower lobe. After 4 h both terbutaline and epinephrine increased lung liquid clearance. The increase in lung liquid clearance was inhibited when propranolol (a beta blocker) or amiloride (a sodium channel blocker) was added to the terbutaline. Increased clearance was not explained by changes in pulmonary hemodynamics, pulmonary blood flow, or lung lymph flow. We conclude that beta-adrenergic agonists increase lung liquid clearance in anesthetized intact adult sheep. This increase is mediated through beta receptors and probably depends on increased active transport of sodium across the alveolar barrier.     

Enhanced exocytotic release of norepinephrine consequent to nerve stimulation by low concentrations of cyclic nucleotides in the presence of phenoxy-benzamine

Stimulation at 5 Hz of postganglionic nerves to the isolated guinea-pig heart which had been labeled with [3H]norepinephrine (NE) resulted in a proportional release of NE, total 3H, [3H]NE, and dopamine beta-hydroxylase. Phenoxybenzamine (3 micrometer) caused a significant increase in the release of all these indices of neurotransmitter release throughout a series of four consecutive stimulations. Stimulation in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) (1 X 10(-9) M) and 8-bromo cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate (8-bromo cyclic GMP) (1 X 10(-8) M) failed to alter any of the measured indices of release when compared with control. However, when perfused in combination with phenoxybenzamine, both cyclic nucleotide analogs significantly increased total 3H, [3H]NE, NE and dopamine beta-hydroxylase outflow with stimulation, as compared with phenoxybenzamine alone. Lower concentrations of both agents (1 X 10(-10) M dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 1 X 10(-9) M 8-bromo cyclic GMP) were less effective in augmenting release. The increased release of NE with nerve stimulation in the presence of phenoxybenzamine alone and with both phenoxybenzamine and the cyclic nucleotide analogs was associated with a significant increase in intraventricular pressure. In contrast, only the combination of 1 X 10(-9) M dibutyryl cyclic AMP plus phenoxybenzamine resulted in an increase in heart rate. The results suggest that phenoxybenzamine and the cyclic nucleotides, probably operating by two distinct mechanisms to enhance neurally mediated release, can act in concert to enhance neurotransmitter release when subeffective concentrations of cyclic nucleotides are used in conjunction with an effective concentration of phenoxybenzamine.     

Alkylation of alpha-1 receptors with a chemically reactive analog of prazosin reveals low affinity sites for norepinephrine in rabbit aorta

The effect of a newly synthesized irreversible blocker of the alpha-1 receptor [1-(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolnyl)-4-(2-bicyclo[2,2,2] octa-2,5-dienylcarbonyl)-piperazine; SZL-49] has been evaluated in contractile studies in rabbit aorta and binding studies in aorta and brain. SZL-49 produced long lasting inhibition of norepinephrine-induced contractions which was apparent 21 hr after drug washout. The inhibition, which was dose and time dependent, was characterized by progressive shift to the right in the norepinephrine dose-response curve. The ED50 for norepinephrine was shifted from 10(-7) M to 8 X 10(-7), 3 X 10(-6), 1 X 10(-5) and 5 X 10(-4) M after incubation (30 min) and washout of increasing concentrations of SZL-49. Surprisingly, SZL-49, irrespective of the dose or incubation time, did not decrease the maximal response of aortic rings to norepinephrine. This resulted in a norepinephrine dose-response curve after SZL-treatment that is parallel to the control. SZL-49 had no effect on the spasmogenic actions of histamine, serotonin, KCl or CaCl2. In contrast to the inhibitory pattern seen with SZL-49, incubation with 10(-7) M phenoxybenzamine shifted the norepinephrine dose-response curve to the right in a nonparallel manner and significantly depressed the maximal response obtainable with norepinephrine. Incubation with 10(-6) M phenoxybenzamine for 30 min virtually abolished the response to norepinephrine. Phenoxybenzamine (10(-7) M) was without effect on aortic rings treated with a maximally effective dose of SZL-49. Prazosin weakly antagonized the contractile actions of norepinephrine observed after SZL-49 treatment, whereas yohimbine was without effect on these norepinephrine-induced contractions. In control binding studies [3H]prazosin bound to two classes of sites in both aorta and brain preparations. Affinities and densities for these sites were K1 = 67.5 pM, K2 = 309 pM; R1 = 38.2 fmol/mg, R2 = 46.47 fmol/mg in aorta and K1 = 29.6 pM, K2 = 182 pM; R1 = 6.6 fmol/mg and R2 = 30.4 fmol/mg in brain. Treatment with increasing amounts of SZL-49 (10(-10) to 10(-8) M) progressively reduced the number of [3H]prazosin sites without altering the affinity of the sites remaining. At 10(-7) M, SZL-49 eliminated completely all specific [3H]prazosin binding. Our results indicate that the site mediating norepinephrine contraction after treatment with SZL-49 does not possess the characteristics of an alpha-1 receptor and supports the hypothesis that a low affinity site for norepinephrine and prazosin exists in vascular smooth muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Beta adrenoceptor mediation of the enhancing effect of norepinephrine on the murine primary antibody response in vitro

The beta adrenoceptor has been identified in this study to be the receptor responsible for the enhanced immunoglobulin M antibody response produced by norepinephrine in mouse spleen cells immunized with sheep erythrocytes in vitro. The magnitude and kinetics of the enhanced antibody response to norepinephrine alone, or to norepinephrine in the presence of phentolamine, were more closely mimicked with a beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist (terbutaline) than with a beta-1 adrenoceptor agonist (dobutamine). Norepinephrine alone, norepinephrine in the presence of phentolamine, or terbutaline exposure produced a number of spleen cells secreting immunoglobulin M antibody that is equal to control on day 4 after immunization and which is enhanced above control on days 5, 6 and 7. Dobutamine causes no change when compared to control on days 4 and 5, but causes a delayed decline in the response on days 6 and 7. All drug responses were concentration-dependent and propranolol antagonized the enhanced response observed in the presence of terbutaline or dobutamine alone. When norepinephrine was added to immunized spleen cell cultures in the presence of propranolol, an alpha adrenoceptor-mediated component was unmasked which produced an enhanced response on day 4 after immunization and returned to control levels on days 5, 6 and 7. These results suggest that antibody responses can be modulated positively by a sympathetic neurotransmitter. This up-modulation by norepinephrine is beta adrenoceptor-mediated at the time of, and after, peak control response and alpha adrenoceptor-mediated 1 day before peak control response.     

Studies on vascular dopamine receptors with the dopamine receptor agonist: SK&F 82526

The vascular effects of a new dopamine receptor agonist, SK&F 82526, were evaluated in isolated rabbit splenic arterial ring segments. In this preparation, previously shown to possess dopamine receptors, SK&F 82526 produced a stereoselective relaxation with the R-enantiomer more active (ED50 1 X 10(-6) M) than the S-enantiomer (ED50 7 X 10(-6) M). Because SK&F 82526 lacks alpha agonist adrenoreceptor activity, a unique feature of these studies was the ability to examine the relaxant action of a dopamine receptor agonist using norepinephrine to contract the tissue in the absence of phenoxybenzamine which is required to antagonize the alpha adrenoreceptor agonist activity of other dopamine receptor agonists. Dopamine receptor antagonists inhibited SK&F 82526-mediated vascular relaxation with the following pA2 values: metoclopramide, 5.20; R-sulpiride, 4.96; and bulbocapnine, 4.62. Initial studies on the location of the receptors, and possible biochemical mechanisms, involved in the relaxation were undertaken. The relaxant effect of SK&F 82526 was decreased when the vascular endothelium was removed. However, removal of the endothelium did not produce a generalized inability to inhibit vascular relaxation because nitroglycerin relaxation of this tissue was not reduced. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors potentiated the vascular relaxant effects of SK&F 82526 only when the endothelium was present. This evidence suggests that a cyclic nucleotide-mediated process may be involved. In summary, direct physiologic evidence for the vascular relaxant effects of SK&F 82526 being mediated on postjunctional dopamine receptors is presented. This drug is a useful agent for the study and characterization of dopamine receptors.