Mechanism of the hypotensive action of prazosin. 1977

H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes

The mechanism of action of prazosin was studied in anesthetized rats by comparison with the peripherally-acting anti-hypertensive agents, indoramin, hydralazine and diazoxide. Hydralazine and diazoxide retained full hypotensive potency after ganglionic blockade with pentolinium or alpha adrenoceptor blockade with phentolamine. Hydralzaine and diazoxide also attenuated angiotensin II pressor responses. In contrast, the hypotensive activity of prazosin was completely abolished, and that of indoramin was almost abolished by either pentolinium or phentolamine pre-treatment. Neither prazosin nor indoramin caused impairment of angiotensin II responsivity, but each was shown to possess alpha adrenoceptor blocking properties. Both agents antagonized the pressor action of norepinephrine and reversed responses to epinephrine. Thus, while hydralazine and diazoxide act directly upon the vasculature by mechanisms independent of sympathetic vasomotor tone, prazosin, like indoramin, acts as an alpha adrenoceptor blocking agent.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007217 Indoramin An alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist that is commonly used as an antihypertensive agent. Wy-21901,Wy 21901,Wy21901
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
D010425 Pentolinium Tartrate A nicotinic antagonist that has been used as a ganglionic blocking agent in hypertension. Pentolinium,Pentolonium Tartrate,Tartrate, Pentolinium,Tartrate, Pentolonium
D010646 Phentolamine A nonselective alpha-adrenergic antagonist. It is used in the treatment of hypertension and hypertensive emergencies, pheochromocytoma, vasospasm of RAYNAUD DISEASE and frostbite, clonidine withdrawal syndrome, impotence, and peripheral vascular disease. Fentolamin,Phentolamine Mesilate,Phentolamine Mesylate,Phentolamine Methanesulfonate,Phentolamine Mono-hydrochloride,Regitine,Regityn,Rogitine,Z-Max,Mesilate, Phentolamine,Mesylate, Phentolamine,Methanesulfonate, Phentolamine,Mono-hydrochloride, Phentolamine,Phentolamine Mono hydrochloride
D011224 Prazosin A selective adrenergic alpha-1 antagonist used in the treatment of HEART FAILURE; HYPERTENSION; PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA; RAYNAUD DISEASE; PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY; and URINARY RETENTION. Furazosin,Minipress,Pratsiol,Prazosin HCL,Prazosin Hydrochloride,HCL, Prazosin,Hydrochloride, Prazosin
D011799 Quinazolines A group of aromatic heterocyclic compounds that contain a bicyclic structure with two fused six-membered aromatic rings, a benzene ring and a pyrimidine ring. Quinazoline
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
D003981 Diazoxide A benzothiadiazine derivative that is a peripheral vasodilator used for hypertensive emergencies. It lacks diuretic effect, apparently because it lacks a sulfonamide group. Hyperstat,Proglycem
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D004347 Drug Interactions The action of a drug that may affect the activity, metabolism, or toxicity of another drug. Drug Interaction,Interaction, Drug,Interactions, Drug

Related Publications

H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
June 1979, The New England journal of medicine,
H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
November 1975, Postgraduate medicine,
H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
October 1976, Archives internationales de pharmacodynamie et de therapie,
H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
July 1980, Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde,
H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
January 1981, Therapeutische Umschau. Revue therapeutique,
H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
January 1984, Patologicheskaia fiziologiia i eksperimental'naia terapiia,
H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
February 1965, Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica,
H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
January 1981, Bollettino della Societa italiana di cardiologia,
H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
February 1966, The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics,
H F Oates, and R M Graham, and G S Stokes
September 1966, Laval medical,
Copied contents to your clipboard!