Biomaterial Database

The action of guanethidine with particular reference to the sympathetic nervous system. 1963

G F ABERCROMBIE, and B N DAVIES

It has been suggested that guanethidine can release and then deplete postganglionic sympathetic nerve endings of noradrenaline. However, no release of noradrenaline from postganglionic nerve endings or from the adrenal medulla by guanethidine was found by direct experiment. Although release of noradrenaline from postganglionic sympathetic nerve endings in response to nerve stimulation was rapidly reduced and finally abolished by guanethidine, the drug did not appear to affect the release of catechol amines from the adrenal medulla in response to splanchnic nerve stimulation. The nature of the action of guanethidine is discussed, and it is concluded that it blocks the effect of postganglionic sympathetic nerve stimulation by interfering with the synthesis of transmitter and that it also has a direct sympathomimetic effect.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009411	Nerve Endings	Branch-like terminations of NERVE FIBERS, sensory or motor NEURONS. Endings of sensory neurons are the beginnings of afferent pathway to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Endings of motor neurons are the terminals of axons at the muscle cells. Nerve endings which release neurotransmitters are called PRESYNAPTIC TERMINALS.	Ending, Nerve,Endings, Nerve,Nerve Ending
D009638	Norepinephrine	Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic.	Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D006145	Guanethidine	An antihypertensive agent that acts by inhibiting selectively transmission in post-ganglionic adrenergic nerves. It is believed to act mainly by preventing the release of norepinephrine at nerve endings and causes depletion of norepinephrine in peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals as well as in tissues.	((2-Hexahydro-1(2H)-azocinyl)ethyl)guanidine,Guanethidine Monosulfate,Guanethidine Sulfate,Guanethidine Sulfate (1:1),Guanethidine Sulfate (1:2),Guanethidine Sulfate (2:1),Guanethidine Sulfate (2:1), 14C-Labeled,Ismelin,Isobarin,Octadine,Oktadin,Monosulfate, Guanethidine,Sulfate, Guanethidine
D000313	Adrenal Medulla	The inner portion of the adrenal gland. Derived from ECTODERM, adrenal medulla consists mainly of CHROMAFFIN CELLS that produces and stores a number of NEUROTRANSMITTERS, mainly adrenaline (EPINEPHRINE) and NOREPINEPHRINE. The activity of the adrenal medulla is regulated by the SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Adrenal Medullas,Medulla, Adrenal,Medullas, Adrenal
D013153	Splanchnic Nerves	The major nerves supplying sympathetic innervation to the abdomen. The greater, lesser, and lowest (or smallest) splanchnic nerves are formed by preganglionic fibers from the spinal cord which pass through the paravertebral ganglia and then to the celiac ganglia and plexuses. The lumbar splanchnic nerves carry fibers which pass through the lumbar paravertebral ganglia to the mesenteric and hypogastric ganglia.	Nerve, Splanchnic,Nerves, Splanchnic,Splanchnic Nerve
D013564	Sympathetic Nervous System	The thoracolumbar division of the autonomic nervous system. Sympathetic preganglionic fibers originate in neurons of the intermediolateral column of the spinal cord and project to the paravertebral and prevertebral ganglia, which in turn project to target organs. The sympathetic nervous system mediates the body's response to stressful situations, i.e., the fight or flight reactions. It often acts reciprocally to the parasympathetic system.	Nervous System, Sympathetic,Nervous Systems, Sympathetic,Sympathetic Nervous Systems,System, Sympathetic Nervous,Systems, Sympathetic Nervous