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PubMed1985

Influences of catecholamines on growth hormone release in female goldfish, Carassius auratus.

The influence of catecholamines on growth hormone (GH) release in female goldfish was investigated by monitoring serum GH levels following injections of drugs known to alter catecholamine synthesis and neural activities. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 6-hydroxydopamine, a catecholaminergic neurotoxin, or alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, a catecholamine synthesis inhibitor, decreased serum GH levels. Intraperitoneal injection of L-beta-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) increased serum GH concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. The L-dopa-induced increase in serum GH was potentiated by i.p. injection of carbidopa, which would increase the availability of L-dopa to brain tissues by blocking the peripheral conversion of L-dopa to dopamine (DA). These results suggest that L-dopa or one of its catecholamine metabolites acts centrally to increase GH release. Intraventricular (i.v.t.) injection of DA and i.p. injection of apomorphine, a DA agonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier, increased serum GH. Intraperitoneal injection of DA did not alter circulating GH levels in normal fish or fish bearing preoptic lesions that abolish an inhibitory hypothalamic influence on GH release; however, DA increased serum GH in fish which had their blood-brain barrier destroyed by sham operation procedures. These results indicate that DA acts centrally to stimulate GH secretion, possibly by inhibiting the release and/or synthesis of GH release-inhibitory factor. Serum GH concentrations were decreased in a dose-dependent manner by i.p. injection of norepinephrine (NE), whereas i.v.t. injection of NE did not alter serum GH levels. These results indicate that NE acts outside of the blood-brain barrier to decrease serum GH levels in the goldfish, possibly by directly influencing pituitary GH cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effects of naloxone on catecholamine and LHRH release from the perifused hypothalamus of the steroid-primed rat.

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effects of naloxone on LHRH and catecholamine release from preoptic area-medial basal hypothalamic (POA-MBH) fragments in vitro. Ovariectomized rats were treated with estradiol benzoate, followed 2 days later by progesterone. The rats were killed 2 after progesterone administration and the POA-MBH dissected out and incubated in a perifusion system. After preincubation, medium with or without naloxone (1 mg/ml) was infused into the perifusion chambers and LHRH, norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine release were monitored. Naloxone concurrently released LHRH and the three catecholamines during the entire perifusion period. LHRH and catecholamine output returned to the control range within 30-45 min after cessation of naloxone infusion. These data show that naloxone can promptly stimulate catecholamine release and concur with the view that LH release evoked by naloxone in vivo may be due to hypersecretion of LHRH and they further raise the possibility that norepinephrine and epinephrine released in the vicinity of peptidergic neurons in the POA-MBH may participate in LHRH hypersecretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Influence of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor antagonists on insulin-induced adrenomedullary catecholamine release.

Previous works have indicated that insulin stress activates the serotonin (5-HT) and sympathoadrenal systems in the fasted rat. In addition, recent studies have shown that activation of either the 5-HT1A, the 5-HT1C or the 5-HT2 receptor triggers adrenal catecholamine release. Then, the aim of this study was to investigate whether brain 5-HT, by means of these receptors, mediates insulin-induced adrenal catecholamine release. For that purpose, both plasma epinephrine (Epi), norepinephrine (NE) and glucose levels were measured in conscious rats bearing intracardiac catheters. The intravenous administration of insulin (1 IU/kg) triggered hypoglycemia throughout the following 120 min in both fed and overnight fasted rats. Insulin stress elicited within 30 min a 5- and 38-fold increase in plasma Epi levels in fed and fasted rats, respectively. This change was associated with significant elevations in plasma NE levels in the fasted rats only. The intravenous administration of the mixed 5-HT1A receptor/beta-adrenoceptor blocker (-)-propranolol (5 mg/kg) to fasted rats did not modify plasma glucose and catecholamine peak responses to insulin; however, at later times, insulin triggered hypoglycemic convulsions in (-)-propranolol- but not in saline-pretreated rats. Besides, pretreatments with the 5-HT1C/5-HT2 receptor blocker LY 53857 (0.5 mg/kg), or the 5-HT1/5-HT2 receptor antagonist metergoline (3 mg/kg), did not diminish plasma catecholamine responses to insulin stress. Similarly, none of these antagonists affected plasma glucose recovery. These results seem to indicate that the sympathoadrenal response to insulin administration is not mediated by 5-HT.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1986

Catecholamine excretion and beta-adrenergic responsiveness in estrogen-treated rats.

Chronic treatment with an estrogenic agent is known to reduce the responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation in rats. To assess the possibility that endogenously produced catecholamines may play a role in this phenomenon, female rats were treated either with implanted Silastic tubes containing estradiol benzoate (26 micrograms/kg/day) or with empty tubes. After 12 weeks of treatment, the dipsogenic, colonic temperature and tail skin temperature responses to acute administration of the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoproterenol, were blunted compared to controls. Each of these responses was negatively correlated with serum estradiol concentration measured by radioimmunoassay. Urinary norepinephrine output was elevated significantly in treated rats during a 24-hour basal period. During a 2-hour exposure to air at 4 degrees C, urinary outputs of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine were elevated significantly above those of controls. There were significant positive correlations between plasma estradiol concentration and the outputs of each of the above catecholamines during the 24-hour basal period and during cold exposure, with norepinephrine being the most strongly correlated. Dipsogenic and metabolic (tail skin and colonic temperature) responses to administration of isoproterenol were negatively correlated with catecholamine excretion during both the basal 24-hour period and during cold exposure. These results suggest that reduced beta-adrenergic responsiveness in estrogen-treated rats may have resulted from down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors associated with increased secretion of catecholamines induced by chronic estrogen treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Free and sulfoconjugated catecholamines in normotensive uremic patients: effects of hemodialysis.

In 9 normotensive uremic patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, the baseline plasma catecholamines varied widely from low-normal to very high; sulfoconjugated plasma catecholamines were constantly high. A dialysis-induced fall of all sulfated catecholamines and epinephrine was observed. Norepinephrine decreased in 5 patients and increased in 4, with a strong inverse correlation between predialysis norepinephrine and delta norepinephrine (p less than 0.0001). No correlation was evident between clinical parameters (mean arterial pressure, heart rate) and catecholamines (both predialysis and postdialysis). Significant (p less than 0.0001 and p less than 0.0002) inverse correlations between epinephrine and norepinephrine and their sulfoconjugation degree were demonstrated only in predialysis. Our data may support the presence of a uremic autonomic neuropathy and adrenoceptor damage.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Tyrosine hydroxylase activity and catecholamine content in the adrenals of young hypo- and hyperthyroid rats.

The weight, the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and the catecholamine (noradrenaline and adrenaline) content of young rat adrenals have been measured from birth to 20 days after birth in relation to hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism impairs the adrenal growth, while hyperthyroidism has no effect on the adrenal weight. Hypothyroidism is associated with an enhancement of TH activity and catecholamine content. In hyperthyroid rats, the increase in TH activity and catecholamine content is slower than in controls. In adult animals, TH activity and catecholamine content are less affected by thyroid function.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1977

Catecholamine content of the lacrimal fluid of healthy people and glaucoma patients.

The level of catecholamines was determined in the lacrimal fluid since it may serve as an index of the activity of the sympatho-adrenal system. 86 persons aged between 35 and 65 years were studied. Of these, 49 were glaucoma patients, 16 patients had preglaucoma, and 21 practically healthy subjects served as a control. The results of the study showed that dopa and catecholamines: dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline can be determined in the lacrimal fluid of healthy people. Preglaucoma patients were found to have a reduced level of dopamine and its precursor dopa. Glaucoma patients were found to have reduced levels of dopa and noradrenaline. Determination of the level of catecholamine and dopa is considered to be an immediate index of the state of the sympathoadrenal system in the initial glaucoma. Determination of catecholamines and dopa in the lacrimal fluid can serve as a test in glaucoma diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Plasma catecholamines, platelet aggregation and associated thromboxane formation after physical exercise, smoking or norepinephrine infusion.

To study the possible role of catecholamines in platelet activation, platelet aggregation stimulated by ADP, collagen, arachidonic acid and L-epinephrine, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) formation and plasma levels of catecholamines and renin were studied in healthy men both before and after 6 days of propranolol treatment (40 mg three times daily) under control conditions and during sympathoadrenergic stimulation by physical exercise (200 W) or smoking. Exercise markedly increased plasma norepinephrine from 128 +/- 28 to 998 +/- 418 pg/ml (+/- SD), and plasma renin activity from 1.0 +/- 0.5 to 4.2 +/- 1.8 ng AI/ml . hour. Smoking predominantly increased plasma epinephrine, from 47 +/- 25 to 154 +/- 76 pg/ml. Propranolol did not consistently influence these variables, but blunted the circulatory response to exercise and smoking. Despite the marked increases of plasma catecholamines after both stimuli with and without beta blockade, platelet aggregation stimulated by ADP, 1-epinephrine, collagen and arachidonic acid and associated TXB2 formation were not enhanced. Moreover, as already suggested by a trend toward reduced aggregability in these settings, plasma norepinephrine levels in the same range (745 +/- 368 pg/ml) due to infusion (5 micrograms/min) significantly reduced platelet aggregation with low-dose collagen (0.25-0.75 micrograms/ml), I-epinephrine (0.2-1.0 microM) and ADP (0.5-1.5 microM). These data do not support a role of endogenous catecholamines in initiating platelet activation and TXB2 formation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Catecholamines block the antimitogenic effect of estradiol on human glomerular mesangial cells.

Local sequential conversion of estradiol to hydroxyestradiols and methoxyestradiols by CYP450 and catechol-O-methyltransferase, respectively, contributes to the antimitogenic effects of estradiol on glomerular mesangial cell growth via estrogen receptor-independent mechanisms. Catecholamines are also substrates for catechol-O-methyltransferase and therefore, might abrogate the renoprotective effects of estradiol by inhibiting formation of methoxyestradiols. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the antimitogenic effects of estradiol on human glomerular mesangial cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in the presence and absence of catecholamines. Norepinephrine, epinephrine, and isoproterenol abrogated the inhibitory effects of estradiol on cell number, DNA synthesis, and collagen synthesis. For example, serum-induced DNA synthesis was inhibited from 100% to 62+/-1.9% by 0.1 micromol/L estradiol, and these inhibitory effects were reversed to 91+/-1.9% by 1 micromol/L epinephrine, 90.7+/-3.3% by 1 micromol/L isoproterenol, 87.5+/-2.8% by 10 micromol/L norepinephrine, and 92+/-1% by 10 micromol/L OR486 (catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor). The interaction of catecholamines with estradiol was not affected by phentolamine or propanolol, alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, respectively. Similar to estradiol, the antimitogenic effects of 2-hydroxyestradiol were abrogated by epinephrine, isoproterenol, and OR486. In contrast to estradiol and 2-hydroxyestradiol, the antimitogenic effects of 2-methoxyestradiol were not attenuated by epinephrine, isoproterenol, or OR486. Norepinephrine, epinephrine, and isoproterenol inhibited the conversion of both estradiol and 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol. Our findings suggest that catecholamines within the glomeruli might abrogate the antimitogenic effects of estradiol by blocking the conversion of 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol.

2-Methoxyestradiol↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Oral load of tyrosine or L-dopa and plasma levels of free and sulfoconjugated catecholamines in healthy men.

The levels of free and sulfoconjugated catecholamines were measured in the plasma of fasting, recumbent normal subjects before and after an oral load of the catecholamine precursors tyrosine or L-dopa. Basal values of sulfoconjugated catecholamines, measured in plasma samples diluted 1:100 were 7998 +/- 540 pg/ml for dopamine sulfate, 2938 +/- 281 pg/ml for norepinephrine sulfate, and 2958 +/- 288 pg/ml for epinephrine sulfate (n = 37 tests in 15 men); these basal values are higher than those reported previously. Neither free nor sulfoconjugated catecholamine concentrations were changed by a tyrosine load (100 mg/kg) that induced a doubling of the plasma tyrosine level or by a meal low in phenylalanine and tyrosine (but otherwise supplying constituents of normal nourishment) that induced a greater than 50% reduction in the plasma tyrosine concentration. After an oral load of L-dopa (125 mg) the following were observed. (1) An extremely large increase (greater than 100-fold) in dopamine sulfate levels was noted, an increase that was less marked in the same subjects given L-dopa (125 mg) plus the peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor carbidopa (12.5 mg); as expected, free dopamine concentration also was increased. (2) Neither free nor sulfoconjugated norepinephrine concentrations were altered. (3) Epinephrine sulfate but not free epinephrine concentration was increased (more than ten-fold) after L-dopa ingestion alone; this result was unexpected and has to be confirmed before considering its physiological meaning, if any.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Hydralazine reduces the quantal size of secretory events by displacement of catecholamines from adrenomedullary chromaffin secretory vesicles.

The effects of the antihypertensive agent hydralazine (1 to 100 nmol/L) on the exocytotic process of single adrenal chromaffin cells have been studied using amperometry. Hydralazine does not reduce the frequency of exocytotic spikes but rapidly slows the rate of catecholamine release from individual exocytotic events by reducing the quantal size of catecholamine exocytosis. Confocal and standard epifluorescence microscopy studies show that hydralazine rapidly accumulates within secretory vesicles. The blockade of the vesicular H+ pump with bafilomycin A1 inhibits hydralazine uptake. Experiments with permeabilized cells show that hydralazine displaces catecholamines from secretory vesicles. The drug also displaces vesicular Ca2+, as shown by fura-2 microfluorimetry. These data suggest that hydralazine acts, at least partially, by interfering with the storage of catecholamines. These effects of hydralazine occurred within seconds, and at the tissue concentrations presumably reached in antihypertensive therapy; these concentrations are a thousand times lower than those described for relaxing vascular tissues in vitro. We proposed that these novel effects could explain many of the therapeutic and side effects of this drug that are likely exerted in sympathetic nerve terminals.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1980

The role of the renin-angiotensin system in mediation of adrenal catecholamine secretion in the cat induced by intrarenal beta-adrenergic stimulation.

Isoproterenol infusion (0.1 microgram/kg per min) into the renal artery of the cat induced an increase in plasma renin concentration (PRC) from 14.3 +/- 5.7 (mean +/- SE) ng angiotensin I/ml per hr to 56.8 +/- 7.7 after 70 minutes (P < 0.05) and an increase in catecholamine secretion rate from 38.7 +/- 6.0 ng/kg per 10 min to 180.0 +/- 40.0 after 70 minutes (P < 0.001). Intravenous infusion of the same dose of isoproterenol had no significant effect on adrenomedullary catecholamine secretion rate. Isoproterenol induced preferential norepinephrine release: the ratio of norepinephrine to epinephrine secretion changed from 11.5:23.7 during the control period to 130.0:40.1 70 minutes after the start of isoproterenol administration. Intrarenal infusion of propranolol (3.0 mg/kg per min) inhibited renal renin release and adrenal catecholamine secretion in response to intrarenal isoproterenol. Intravenous infusion (0.4 microgram/kg per min) of an angiotensin II antagonist [Sar1, Ileu8]angiotensin II abolished the catecholamine response to intrarenal isoproterenol infusion. It is suggested that intrarenal isoproterenol infusion stimulates renal renin release and angiotensin production which, in turn, stimulates a preferential secretion of adrenomedullary norepinephrine.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1981

The influence of circulating catecholamines and prostaglandins on canine renal hemodynamics during hemorrhage.

The relationship between circulating catecholamines and prostaglandins and the independent contribution of circulating catecholamines to renal vasoconstriction during hemorrhage is unknown. The renal hemodynamic effects of a 30% decrease in blood pressure by hemorrhage were therefore studied in three groups of anesthetized dogs which had undergone prior bilateral renal denervation. A constant unilateral infusion of the catecholamine antagonist phenoxybenzamine (POB, 0.2 micrograms/kg per min) into the renal artery during hemorrhage was also performed. In the control (C) dogs (n = 6), hemorrhage was not associated with significant changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or renal blood flow (RBF) in either POB-infused and denervated or noninfused, denervated kidneys. In the second group of dogs (n = 8), pretreated with the prostaglandin inhibitor indomethacin (IN, 10 mg/kg, iv), POB-infused and denervated kidneys had a significantly higher GFR (30 vs. 23 ml/min, P less than 0.05) and RBF (180 vs. 130 ml/min, P less than 0.0-5) than contralateral denervated kidneys during the hemorrhage period. Similar results were observed in the third group of dogs (n = 6) pretreated with the chemically dissimilar prostaglandin inhibitor meclofenemate (M). Circulating plasma catecholamines increased to a similar degree in C (116 to 530 pg/ml, P less than 0.005), IN (116 to 488 pg/ml, P less than 0.005), and M (75 to 315 pg/ml, P less than 0.01) groups; the major part of this increase was due to an increase in plasma norepinephrine (NE). These results indicate that, in this model of hemorrhage, plasma NE exerts a moderate but significant renal vasoconstrictor effect which is unmasked by prostaglandin inhibition.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Cardiovascular reflex modulation of plasma catecholamine concentrations in the anesthetized cat.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of carotid sinus and cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors in the reflex control of adrenal medullary catecholamine secretion. Afferent input from carotid sinus and cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors was decreased by carotid occlusion or cervical vagal cold block, respectively. Increases in arterial pressure were significantly greater when either intervention was tested in the presence of the other, with the role of the carotid sinus baroreflex being dominant. Neither carotid occlusion nor vagal cold block resulted in a significant increase in plasma epinephrine or norepinephrine concentrations. However, carotid occlusion during vagal block caused a significant increase in plasma epinephrine (+87%) and norepinephrine concentrations (+128%). Likewise, vagal block during carotid occlusion increased plasma epinephrine (+82%) and norepinephrine concentrations (+73%). Similar experiments performed in a group of chemically sympathectomized animals (pre-treated with 50 mg/kg 6-hydroxydopamine) indicted that adrenal medullary norepinephrine as well as epinephrine release could be modulated by the carotid sinus and cardiopulmonary reflexes. Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated animals, compared with untreated controls. Although of lesser magnitude, responses to carotid occlusion and vagal block in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated animals were qualitatively similar to those in untreated animals. Plasma catecholamine concentrations did not increase from either manipulation. However, when the second manipulation was added to the first, significant increases occurred. We conclude from these data that both the carotid sinus and cardiopulmonary reflexes modulate the release of adrenal catecholamines. An interaction between the two reflexes exists whereby the influence of one reflex on catecholamine secretion is apparent only in the absence of the other input.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Release of endogenous catecholamines in the ischemic myocardium of the rat. Part A: Locally mediated release.

The accumulation of endogenous catecholamines within the extracellular space of the ischemic myocardium has been studied in the isolated perfused (Langendorff) heart of the rat subjected to various periods of complete ischemia, with subsequent collection of the reperfusate. Catecholamines and deaminated metabolites were measured by radioenzymatic methods, or high pressure liquid chromatography. Ischemic periods of less than 10 minutes are not associated with an increased overflow of catecholamines or metabolites. Longer periods of ischemia are accompanied by the overflow of noradrenaline and its deaminated metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol. This overflow increases with lengthening of the preceding ischemic period (10 minutes: 2.5 +/- 0.6, 20 minutes: 209.8 +/- 17.2, 60 minutes: 1270.5 +/- 148.1 pmol noradrenaline/g heart). Noradrenaline concentration is highest during the first minute of reperfusion, suggesting that the noradrenaline detected during reperfusion is released into the extracellular space of the myocardium during ischemia and is subsequently eluted. Experiments with variation of extracellular calcium concentration and with neuronal uptake (uptake1) blocking agents suggest that different mechanisms of catecholamine release are acting during the course of ischemia. A calcium-independent carrier-mediated efflux of noradrenaline from the nerve terminals is of major importance, using the same carrier as is normally responsible for transporting noradrenaline from the synaptic clefts into the neuronal varicosities. Thus, various uptake1-blocking agents diminish the noradrenaline overflow following ischemic periods of between 10 and 40 minutes. The noradrenaline overflow following longer periods of ischemia is unaffected by uptake1-blocking agents, and additional noradrenaline release at this time is probably consequent upon dissolution of cell membranes. Overflow of adrenaline and dopamine occurs to a minor degree (less than 5% of the corresponding noradrenaline overflow), and only after ischemic periods of more than 15 minutes.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Catecholamine release-inhibitory peptide catestatin (chromogranin A(352-372)): naturally occurring amino acid variant Gly364Ser causes profound changes in human autonomic activity and alters risk for hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Chromogranin A, coreleased with catecholamines by exocytosis, is cleaved to the catecholamine release-inhibitory fragment catestatin. We identified a natural nonsynonymous variant of catestatin, Gly364Ser, that alters human autonomic function and blood pressure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Gly364Ser heterozygotes and controls underwent physiological and biochemical phenotyping, including catecholamine production, chromogranin A precursor, and its catestatin product. Case-control studies replicated effects of the gene on blood pressure in the population. Gly364Ser displayed diminished inhibition of catecholamine secretion from cultured neurons. Gly/Ser heterozygotes displayed increased baroreceptor slope during upward deflections (by approximately 47%) and downward deflections (by approximately 44%), increased cardiac parasympathetic index (by approximately 2.4-fold), and decreased cardiac sympathetic index (by approximately 26%). Renal norepinephrine excretion was diminished by approximately 26% and epinephrine excretion by approximately 34% in Gly/Ser heterozygotes. The coalescent dated emergence of the variant to approximately 70,000 years ago. Gly364Ser was in linkage disequilibrium with 1 major Chromogranin A promoter haplotype, although promoter haplotypes did not predict autonomic phenotypes. The 364Ser variant was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure in 2 independent/confirmatory groups of patients with hypertension; genotype groups differed by approximately 5 to 6 mm Hg, and the polymorphism accounted for approximately 1.8% of population diastolic blood pressure variance, although a significant gene-by-sex interaction existed, with an enhanced effect in men. CONCLUSIONS: The catestatin Gly364Ser variant causes profound changes in human autonomic activity, both parasympathetic and sympathetic, and seems to reduce risk of developing hypertension, especially in men. A model for catestatin action in the baroreceptor center of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius accounts for these actions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1968

Effects of alpha adrenergic blockade and tissue catecholamine depletion on pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia.

The highly reactive pulmonary vascular bed of the neonatal calf was utilized to determine whether the hypoxic pulmonary pressor response is modified by alpha-adrenergic blockade with phenoxybenzamine (Group A) or by tissue catecholamine depletion with reserpine (Group B). In addition, in Group A, the effects of hypoxia on the pulmonary circulation were compared and contrasted with those of l-norepinephrine (alpha-receptor stimulator) and isoproterenol (beta-receptor stimulator). In Group A, changes in pulmonary vascular resistance were calculated from measurements of appropriate pressures and of pulmonary blood flow (electromagnetic flowmeter). The increase in pulmonary vascular resistance produced by hypoxia was not diminished by alpha-adrenergic blockade. However, blockade abolished the pulmonary vasoconstrictor effect of norepinephrine. During hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, the administration of either norepinephrine or isoproterenol lowered the pulmonary vascular resistance both before and after alpha-blockade. While this may be a true vasodepressor effect of these drugs it may also reflect passive changes in the pulmonary vessels secondary to an increased pulmonary blood flow.THE PULMONARY VASCULAR RESPONSE TO HYPOXIA IN THE RESERPINIZED CALVES (GROUP B) WAS TESTED UNDER THREE CIRCUMSTANCES: (1) in the awake animal, (2) in the anesthetized animal prepared in the same way as those in Group A, and (3) during constant flow perfusion of the left lower lobe pulmonary artery. From these studies it was concluded that tissue catecholamine depletion did not diminish the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia.Thus, neither alpha-adrenergic blockade nor tissue catecholamine depletion prevents the hypoxic pulmonary pressor response. Furthermore, alpha-blockade prevents the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to norepinephrine but not to hypoxia. Therefore it is concluded that hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is not mediated through adrenergic receptor stimulation or release of endogenous catecholamines.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1977

Catecholamine uptake, accumulation, and release in acute porphyria.

Hypertension and tachycardia are well known features of acute porphyria and have been shown to be related to increased circulating catecholamines. The mechanism by which circulating catecholamines are increased was studied using the isolated perfused rat heart and human platelets as a model of adrenergic neuronal function. It was found that neither delta-aminolevulinate (ALA) nor porphobilinogen (PBG) blocked uptake or caused release in the isolated perfused rat heart. Platelets from six patients with acute prophyria, three in remission and three latent, with matching normal controls were studied with regard to their uptake of [(3)H]norepinephrine in the presence of ALA or PBG. It was found that ALA and PBG significantly reduced uptake and accumulation of [(3)H]-norepinephrine in patients with acute porphyria; however, no similar reduction in uptake and accumulation was observed in the platelets of normal controls. Therefore, it appears that there is a latent defect in the catecholamine uptake and (or) accumulation of platelets of patients with acute prophyria which only manifests itself in the presence of ALA or PBG. If platelet uptake serves as a model of adrenergic neuron uptake, this suggests that elevated circulating catecholamine levels during acute attacks of acute porphyria are caused at least partially by blockade of re-uptake into the sympathetic neurons.

Acute Disease↗