Baroreflex mechanisms buffering alpha-adrenergic agonists in conscious dogs. 1987

A M Fujii, and S F Vatner
Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

To determine the relative importance of the mechanisms utilized by the arterial baroreflex in buffering the pressor and vasoconstrictor responses to alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists, we studied responses to norepinephrine and phenylephrine in conscious dogs. The dogs were studied 2-8 wk after instrumentation with aortic catheters and aortic electromagnetic flow probes to measure arterial pressure and cardiac output. Total peripheral resistance was calculated on-line by a digital computer. The dogs were studied after beta-adrenergic receptor blockade (propranolol 1.0 mg/kg) to eliminate the complicating inotropic effects of the agonists studied. Norepinephrine (0.2 microgram/kg bolus) increased mean arterial pressure by 30 +/- 3 mmHg, total peripheral resistance by 51 +/- 4 mmHg . l-1 . min-1, and decreased heart rate by 26 +/- 3 beats/min. After arterial baroreceptor denervation, norepinephrine increased mean arterial pressure by 69 +/- 8 mmHg, total peripheral resistance by 48 +/- 6 mmHg . l-1 . min-1, and heart rate did not change. After ganglionic blockade (hexamethonium 40 mg/kg), norepinephrine increased mean arterial pressure by 76 +/- 3 mmHg, total peripheral resistance by 47 +/- 4 mmHg X l-1 X min-1, and heart rate did not change. Only after elimination of the buffering by heart rate by use of cholinergic receptor blockade (atropine 0.1 mg/kg) or ventricular pacing could buffering of the vasoconstrictor responses to alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists be demonstrated. Thus in conscious dogs the primary mechanism for buffering increases in arterial pressure induced by alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists is compensatory changes in heart rate and cardiac output with little buffering of total peripheral resistance.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D010656 Phenylephrine An alpha-1 adrenergic agonist used as a mydriatic, nasal decongestant, and cardiotonic agent. (R)-3-Hydroxy-alpha-((methylamino)methyl)benzenemethanol,Metaoxedrin,Metasympatol,Mezaton,Neo-Synephrine,Neosynephrine,Phenylephrine Hydrochloride,Phenylephrine Tannate,Neo Synephrine,Tannate, Phenylephrine
D011311 Pressoreceptors Receptors in the vascular system, particularly the aorta and carotid sinus, which are sensitive to stretch of the vessel walls. Baroreceptors,Receptors, Stretch, Arterial,Receptors, Stretch, Vascular,Stretch Receptors, Arterial,Stretch Receptors, Vascular,Arterial Stretch Receptor,Arterial Stretch Receptors,Baroreceptor,Pressoreceptor,Receptor, Arterial Stretch,Receptor, Vascular Stretch,Receptors, Arterial Stretch,Receptors, Vascular Stretch,Stretch Receptor, Arterial,Stretch Receptor, Vascular,Vascular Stretch Receptor,Vascular Stretch Receptors
D011433 Propranolol A widely used non-cardioselective beta-adrenergic antagonist. Propranolol has been used for MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION; ARRHYTHMIA; ANGINA PECTORIS; HYPERTENSION; HYPERTHYROIDISM; MIGRAINE; PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA; and ANXIETY but adverse effects instigate replacement by newer drugs. Dexpropranolol,AY-20694,Anaprilin,Anapriline,Avlocardyl,Betadren,Dociton,Inderal,Obsidan,Obzidan,Propanolol,Propranolol Hydrochloride,Rexigen,AY 20694,AY20694,Hydrochloride, Propranolol
D012016 Reference Values The range or frequency distribution of a measurement in a population (of organisms, organs or things) that has not been selected for the presence of disease or abnormality. Normal Range,Normal Values,Reference Ranges,Normal Ranges,Normal Value,Range, Normal,Range, Reference,Ranges, Normal,Ranges, Reference,Reference Range,Reference Value,Value, Normal,Value, Reference,Values, Normal,Values, Reference
D012018 Reflex An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D001794 Blood Pressure PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS. Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D002302 Cardiac Output The volume of BLOOD passing through the HEART per unit of time. It is usually expressed as liters (volume) per minute so as not to be confused with STROKE VOLUME (volume per beat). Cardiac Outputs,Output, Cardiac,Outputs, Cardiac
D003714 Denervation The resection or removal of the nerve to an organ or part. Laser Neurectomy,Neurectomy,Peripheral Neurectomy,Radiofrequency Neurotomy,Denervations,Laser Neurectomies,Neurectomies,Neurectomies, Laser,Neurectomies, Peripheral,Neurectomy, Laser,Neurectomy, Peripheral,Neurotomies, Radiofrequency,Neurotomy, Radiofrequency,Peripheral Neurectomies,Radiofrequency Neurotomies
D004285 Dogs The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065) Canis familiaris,Dog

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