A comparison of pre- and postsynaptic α-adrenergic effects of phenylephrine and tramazoline on blood vessels of the rabbit in vivo

Summary Pre- and postsynaptic -adrenergic effects of phenylephrine and tramazoline were studied in hindlegs of rabbits. The legs were autoperfused at a constant rate of flow. Phenylephrine and tramazoline were infused intraarterially. Increases in perfusion pressure evoked by the drugs were taken to represent activation of postsynaptic -adrenoceptors. Inhibition of the pressor response to low frequency stimulation of the lumbar sympathetic chain (1 and 2 Hz) without a decrease of the response to intraarterial injection of low doses of noradrenaline (60–450 ng) was considered to reflect activation of presynaptic -adrenoceptors.Phenylephrine produced vasoconstriction at concentrations of 10^–7–3×10^–6 M. Phenylephrine 10^–7 and 3×10^–7 M did not change pressor responses to nerve stimulation or noradrenaline, whereas higher concentrations selectively inhibited the effect of nerve stimulation. The maximal inhibition amounted to about 30%. Tramazoline caused vasoconstriction at concentrations of 3×10^–8–10^–6 M. All these concentrations, and also the lower concentration of 10^–8 M, diminished the response to nerve stimulation without a change in the effect of injected noradrenaline. The inhibition maximally amounted to about 80%. The sum of the vasoconstrictor effects of phenylephrine and of nerve stimulation exceeded the effect of nerve stimulation alone, whereas the sum of the vasoconstrictor effects of low concentrations of tramazoline and of nerve stimulation was lower than the effect of nerve stimulation alone. Except for tramazoline 10^–6 M, the effects were limited to the leg that received the intraarterial infusion; there was no change in the contralateral leg.The results are compatible with the view that not only in vitro, but also in vivo pre- and postsynaptic -adrenoceptors show different pharmacological properties. In the hindleg vasculature of the rabbit as well as in some other tissues tramazoline preferentially activates the presynaptic, whereas phenylephrine preferentially activates the postsynaptic receptors. There is not sufficient evidence, however, to allow generalization of these findings and to consider all presynaptic -adrenoceptors as one pharmacologically homogeneous group and all postsynaptic -adrenoceptors as the second, distinct homogeneous group.     

Lack of presynaptic modulation by isoprenaline of 3H-noradrenaline release from rabbit isolated ear artery

Summary The aim of the present investigation was to examine whether or not presynaptic facilitatory -adrenoceptors are detectable on the postganglionic nerves in the rabbit isolated ear artery. Strips of rabbit central ear artery were incubated with ³H-noradrenaline (10^–7 mol/l; 30 min or 10^–6 mol/l; 60 min). Subsequently, they were washed repeatedly with physiological salt solution. The strips were subjected to electrical-field stimulation (S₁–S₈) and the resultant ³H-overflow was determined.When the ear artery was stimulated with 150 pulses (0.5 ms; 3 Hz; 225 mA), isoprenaline (10^–9–10^–6 mol/l) either alone or in the presence of either rauwolscine (10^–6 mol/l) or phentolamine (10^–6 mol/l) did not alter the stimulation-evoked ³H-overflow. This was also the case in the presence of rauwolscine (10^–6 mol/l) plus either the selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor ICI 63 197 (3 × 10^–5 mol/l) or forskolin (10^–6 mol/l). When the ear artery was stimulated with 300 pulses (1 ms; 5 Hz; 225 mA), isoprenaline had no effect on the stimulation-evoked ³H-overflow. This was also the case when phentolamine (10^–6 mol/l) was present. Propranolol (10^–7–10^–5 mol/l) did not alter the stimulation-evoked ³H-overflow. In some experiments, the stimulation current was reduced to 175 mA in order to obtain similar reference release (S₃) values despite the presence of rauwolscine (150 pulses; 0.5 ms; 3 Hz). Even then, isoprenaline (10^–9–10^–6 mol/l) did not change stimulation-evoked ³H-overflow. The results suggest that postganglionic sympathetic nerves in rabbit central ear artery do not possess presynaptic facilitatory -adrenoceptors. Send offprint requests to J. Abrahamsen at the above address     

Estimation of the biophase concentration of noradrenaline at presynaptic α2-adrenoceptors in brain slices

Summary The aim of the present study was to determine the local concentrations of noradrenaline existing at presynaptic ₂-adrenoceptors during electrical pulse train stimulation of brain slices at different frequencies. The experiments are based on the assumption that the concentration of released noradrenaline at the ₂-adrenoceptors exerting a certain autoinhibition should be equal to the concentration of exogenous noradrenaline causing the same inhibition under conditions in which any influence of the released transmitter is excluded. In order to avoid autoinhibition, hippocampus and cortex slices of the rabbit and the rat, prelabelled with [³H]noradrenaline and superfused in presence of an uptake inhibitor, were electrically stimulated using 4 pulses delivered at 100 Hz (POP stimulation). Exogenous noradrenaline diminished the overflow of tritium elicited by POP stimulation in a concentration-dependent manner. In rabbit brain tissues the EC₅₀ value and maximum inhibition of noradrenaline release were found to be approximately 6 nmol/l and more than 95%, respectively, whereas in rat tissues the corresponding values were between 20 and 30 nmol/l and approximately 90%. When electrical stimulation was performed with trains of 36 pulses delivered at 0.1, 0.3 or 3 Hz in absence or presence of an uptake inhibitor, the ₂-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (1 or 10 mol/l) enhanced the evoked tritium overflow in a manner which was dependent on the frequency of stimulation and on blockade of the re-uptake mechanism. The facilitatory effects of yohimbine reflected an extent of autoinhibition which was between 53% (36 pulses/0.1 Hz, no uptake inhibitor) and 85% (36 pulses/3 Hz, uptake inhibitor present) in rabbit and between 16% (36 pulses/0.3 Hz, no uptake inhibitor) and 71% (36 pulses/3 Hz, uptake inhibitor present) in rat brain slices. Accordingly, the corresponding estimated biophase concentrations of noradrenaline were generally higher in rat than in rabbit tissues (they were between 32.5 and 74.5 or 5.1 and 51.6 nmol/l in the presence or absence of an uptake inhibitor, respectively, in the rat, and between 15 and 23.1 or 6.1 and 18.6 nmol/l in the rabbit). The observed frequency dependence of the effect of re-uptake blockade on the calculated biophase concentrations of noradrenaline would be compatible with the idea of a dependence of the effectiveness of the re-uptake mechanism on the firing rate of the neurone in being more effective at lower frequencies. Moreover, the stikingly low biophase concentrations of noradrenaline suggest that also in brain tissue noradrenaline causes lateral inhibition of release as has recently been shown for guinea-pig vas deferens. Send offprint requests to C. Allgaier at the above address     

Evidence for various tryptamines and related compounds acting as substrates of the platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter

Summary The aim of the present study was to answer the question whether amines other than 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and tryptamine act as substrates of the platelet 5-HT transporter. To this end, a large number of tryptamines, 5-HT receptor agonists and phenethylamines (which had IC₅₀ values for ³H-5-HT uptake inhibition of 145–24500 nmol l^–1) was examined in rabbit platelets in order to determine their ability to induce an outward transport of ³H-5-HT Platelets (the MAO of which was blocked) from reserpine-pretreated animals were loaded with ³H-5-HT and then exposed for 5 min to various concentrations (ranging from 0.25 to 40 times the IC₅₀) of each compound. The concentration-effect curves for the drug-induced increase in ³H-5-HT efflux served to determine values of E_max (maximum increase in efflux expressed in % of the ³H-5-HT content of cells) and EC₅₀ (drug concentration producing E_max/2).For the 24 compounds studied here (which included the 5-HT uptake inhibitors imipramine, citalopram, fluoxetine and cocaine) a linear correlation between EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ (r = 0.975) and a mean ratio of EC₅₀/IC₅₀ of 2.4 was found. Most of the compounds [e.g., (±)8-hy-ydroxy-2-(N,N-dipropylamino)tetralin, S(+)-methyl-5-HT, 5-carboxamidotryptamine and 5-methoxytryptamine] gave rise to E_max values (15.8–32.5%) that exceeded that brought about by imipramine (6.6%), indicating that they act as substrates of the 5-HT transporter; the ³H-5-HT outward transport observed in response to these substances was abolished in the presence of imipramine. Others (e.g., 2-methyl-5-HT and 5-methylurapidil) produced Emax values (3.4–14.3%) not significantly different from that of imipramine and, therefore, can be classified either as poor substrates or as inhibitors of the 5-HT transporter.Hence, many tryptamines and 5-HT receptor agonists are substrates of the platelet 5-HT transporter. The property of being substrates gives them the latent capacity to bring about release of endogenous 5-HT and, as a result, to cause indirect 5-HT receptor-mediated effects.Abbreviations MAO monoamine oxidase - 5-HT 5-hydroxytryptamine - 2-M-5-HT 2-methyl-5-HT - N-M-5-HT N-methyl-5-HT - N,N-DM-5-HT N,N-dimethyl-5-HT - S(+)-M-5-HT S(+)-methyl-5-HT - 5-CT 5-carboxamidotryptamine - 5-M-tryptamine 5-methyltryptamine - 5-MO-tryptamine 5-methoxytryptamine - 7-M-tryptamine 7-methyltryptamine - N-M-tryptamine N-methyltryptamine - N,N-DM-tryptamine N,N-dimethyltryptamine - N,N-DM-5-MO-tryptamine N,N-dimethyl-5-methoxytryptamine - (±)8-OH-DPAT (±)8-hydroxy-2-2-(N,N-dipropylamino)tetralin - 5-M-urapidil 5-methyl-urapidil Send offprint requests to R. Wölfel at the above address     

Active transport of polypeptides in rabbit nasal mucosa: Possible role in the sampling of potential antigens

Transepithelial pathways of macromolecule transport have been studied in vitro in rabbit nasal respiratory mucosa, maintained at 27° C. Transepithelial electrical potential difference, short-circuit current and resistance were 3.4±0.5mV (submucosa positive), 65.0±6.7 A cm^–2 and 52.1±5.6 cm^–2 respectively (n=15). These electrical characteristics are those of a leaky epithelium allowing macromolecules to permeate paracellularly. A detailed permeation study of a polypeptide (elcatonin, M _w=3362) was also undertaken. Elcatonin mucosa-submucosa (J _ms) and submucosa-mucosa (J _sm) fluxes were measured by radioimmunoassay. With 10 g/ml elcatonin, J _ms was significantly larger than J _sm for the whole 120-min period of observation; net flux showed a maximum in the first 30 min (J _ms=13.6±1.0 ng cm^–2 h^–1, J _sm=1.4±0.1 ng cm^–2 h^–1, n=10). J _ms fell towards the value of J _sm if the temperature was reduced to 4°C or if the mucosa was simultaneously treated with 0.1 mM dinitrophenol and 3 mM monoiodoacetate. J _ms and J _net followed saturation kinetics with increasing elcatonin concentrations. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (M _r=4500) produced a similar pattern to elcatonin. However, J _ms and J _sm were not significantly different from each other at any time either for [³H]sucrose (M _w=342) or for [¹⁴C]polyethyleneglycol-4000 (M _w=4000) when present in the bathing medium at 500 M concentration. The results show active transport of polypeptides in parallel with passive permeation (possibly through leaky intercellular junctions). Active transport does not appear to be related to nonspecific pinocytosis but to receptor-mediated endocytosis. The latter may be important for the sampling of potential antigens from the nasal lumen.     

人和兔雪旺氏细胞的体外培养及形态学观察和生物特性研究

雪旺氏细胞(Schwann cell,SC)在神经再生过程中起着重要作用。我们取人胚及兔之坐骨神经,采用“植块多次移出法”培养出纯净度达99％的人和兔的SC。对培养的SC进行了冻存和复苏处理,复苏后的细胞可保持原有的生长特性。     

家兔延髓吻端腹外侧区在“人中”穴加压效应中的作用

延髓吻端腹外测区(Rostral ventrolateral medulla,RVL)微量注射红藻氨酸(Kainic acid,KA)前,分别用弱、强电刺激“人中”穴时可引起动脉血压(BP)显著升高,心率(HR)明显增快。一侧或双侧RVL注射KA后,再用弱、强电刺激“人中”穴时,BP、HR的反应基本消失。结果表明,RVL在“人中”穴加压效应中起关键性作用。     

Metabolism of endogenous and exogenous noradrenaline in the rabbit perfused heart

Summary The outflow of noradrenaline, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) and 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid (DOMA) from rabbit perfused hearts was studied by chromatography on alumina followed by high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. In the absence of drugs and without nerve stimulation, the outflow of endogenous noradrenaline over a period of 108 min averaged 0.17 pmol×g^–1×min^–1 and the outflow of DOPEG 2.1 pmol×g^–1×min^–1. The outflow of DOMA was below the detection limit (<0.13 pmol×g^–1×min^–1). The effect of perfusion with (–)-noradrenaline 0.1, 1 or 10 mol/l for 18 min was then investigated. As the concentration of noradrenaline increased so did the outflow of DOPEG. Moreover, DOMA was found in the venous effluent during and after perfusion with noradrenaline 1 or 10 mol/l. The increase in the outflow of DOPEG and DOMA was almost abolished when cocaine 10 mol/l was present during the perfusion with noradrenaline 1 mol/l. The release of endogenous noradrenaline by sympathetic nerve stimulation or tyramine 10 mol/l, but not the release evoked by nicotine 30 mol/l, was accompanied by an increase in the outflow of DOPEG; an outflow of DOMA was not observed.It is concluded that, in the rabbit perfused heart, DOPEG is an important metabolite of endogenous noradrenaline. DOMA is at best a minor product, either when the neurones are at rest or when noradrenaline is released by sympathetic nerve stimulation, nicotine or tyramine. DOMA is formed in detectable amounts when the tissue is exposed to a high concentration of exogenous noradrenaline. Like DOPEG, it is formed intraneuronally. The results confirm and extend those obtained previously on guinea-pig incubated atria. They make it unlikely that, in these tissues at least, DOMA formation is one of the physiological pathways of noradrenaline catabolism.     

兔脑垂体注射液的大鼠长期毒性实验研究

目的 :观察兔脑垂体注射液的急性毒性与长期毒性。方法 :小鼠尾静脉注射给予兔脑垂体注射液 1次后观察其急性毒性 ;大鼠以兔脑垂体注射液 0 .5ml·kg-1,0 .2 5ml·kg-1,0 .1ml·kg-13种剂量 ,每日 1次 ,连续 3个月对大鼠腹腔注射给药以及停药后 2周 ,与对照组比较 ,考察大鼠的一般状态、生长发育、造血功能、肝脏功能、肾脏功能和重要器官重量系数等的影响。结果 :急性毒性实验表明 :小鼠未出现异常反应 ,其最大耐受量为 2 4ml·kg-1,相当于临床人用剂量的 30 0倍。长期毒性实验表明 :未见动物出现外观、体重增长和血象、肝肾功能及所考察脏器组织的毒性作用。结论 :兔脑垂体注射液的毒性较低。     

高效液相-荧光检测法测定兔血浆羟基喜树碱方法的研究

目的 :为了测定羟基喜树碱在人体内的血药浓度 ,建立高效液相 -荧光检测法以测定兔血浆中羟基喜树碱的含量。方法 :色谱柱为DiscoveryC18(15cm× 4 6cm ,5 μm) ,流动相为柠檬酸缓冲液 -乙腈 - 75nmol·L-1磷酸二氢钾 (70∶2 3∶7) ,75nmol·L-1磷酸二氢钾中含 1%三乙胺。流速为 1 0mL·min-1,柱温为 4 0℃ ,荧光检测波长为λex36 3nm和λem5 30nm。结果 :该方法的线性范围为 13 76 5 6～ 195 7 4 4 6 8ng·mL-1(r =0 9993) ;提取回收率和方法回收率分别为 80 90 %～ 10 3 5 9% ,10 2 72 %～ 10 8 16 % ;日内RSD≤ 7 4 9% ,日间RSD≤ 9 4 0 %。最低检测限为 5 2ng·mL-1。结论 :主效渡相—荧光法专属性强 ,重现性好 ,操作简便 ,可用于羟基喜树碱的药代动力学研究和血药浓度监测。