The contribution of adrenergic mechanisms to frequency potentiation and to paired stimulation in guinea pig isolated atrial tissue

Summary In order to establish whether adrenergic mechanisms are involved in frequency induced potentiation and in the positive inotropic response to paired stimulation, the effect of adrenergic drugs on both processes were studied in guineapig isolated left auricles. 1. Owing to the positive inotropic effect of noradrenaline and isoproterenol the relative increase in contractile force at rising frequencies proved less pronounced than in control experiments, although the absolute maximal force that developed was higher in presence of the sympathomimetic drugs. 2. Pretreatment of the guinea-pigs with high doses of reserpine did not impair both potentiation phenomena in the isolated organs. Surprisingly, frequency potentiation proved even slightly increased in the noradrenaline-depleted organs. 3. A low concentration of propranolol (10^–9 M) did not affect both potentiation phenomena. Propranolol, in such concentration (10^–6 M) that unspecific, quinidine-like effects occurred diminished both frequency potentiation and the response to paired stimulation. 4. The results suggest that adrenergic mechanisms do not play any significant role in both potentiation phenomena.