Inhibitory effects of piribedil on adrenergic neurotransmission

The effects of piribedil on responses to sympathetic stimulation were investigated in anaesthetized dogs. Piribedil (1 mg/kg i.v.) impaired the vasoconstrictor responses to lumbar sympathetic chain stimulation of the perfused hindlimb without changing the effects of noradrenaline. Piribedil (2 mg/kg i.v.) depressed the chronotropic responses to stimulation of the right anterior ansa and the inotropic response to stimulation of the left anterior ansa. Stimulation of the splanchnic nerve induced frequency dependent increases in systemic blood pressure. Piribedil antagonized this effect. Piribedil (1 mg/kg i.v.) attenuated the constrictor responses of the perfused mesenteric artery to postganglionic sympathetic stimulation and reduced the decreases in renal blood flow caused by stimulation of sympathetic renal nerves. The inhibitory effects of piribedil were preferential on responses induced by low frequency stimulation of nerves. The hypertensive, vasoconstrictor and tachycardic effects of noradrenaline and tyramine were not affected. The effects of piribedil were reversed by haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) or pimozide (0.2 mg/kg i.v.).