Investigation of the central and peripheral actions of clonidine and methoxamine using a new in vivo rat preparation

Hypertensive effects of methoxamine on arterial mechanics in rats: analysis based on exponentially tapered T-tube model

Methoxamine, a specific alpha1-selective adrenoceptor agonist, has proven to be useful in the treatment of hypotension, especially hypotension due to failure of the sympathetic nervous system. This study is to explore the vascular dynamic response to methoxamine in Wistar-Kyoto rats, based on the exponentially tapered T-tube model. The pulsatile aortic pressure and flow signals before and after the administration of methoxamine (0.025 mg/kg) were measured by a high-fidelity pressure sensor and electromagnetic flow probe, respectively. Hemodynamic parameters, such as aortic characteristic impedance, wave transit time, and arterial load compliance, were inferred from the aortic pressure and flow signals to describe the pulsatile nature of blood flow in the vasculature. The hypertensive effects of methoxamine on the static components of ventricular afterload were characterized by (1) little change in cardiac output, (2) a decrease in heart rate and (3) an increase in aortic pressure and total peripheral resistance. As for the pulsatile components of ventricular afterload, no significant changes in aortic characteristic impedance and wave transit time were observed, suggesting that the distensibility of the aorta was not altered in rats after the administration of methoxamine. In contrast, there was a significant drop in arterial load compliance mainly due to the elevated arterial blood pressure in methoxamine-treated rats. In conclusion, methoxamine at the dose of 0.025 mg/kg has a greater effect on peripheral resistance vessels than on Winkessel vessels in the rat systemic circulation.

Involvement of imidazoline-preferring receptors in regulation of sympathetic tone

We examined the contribution of imidazoline-preferring receptors (IPR) and alpha 2-adrenoceptors at different levels of the central nervous system in the antihypertensive and sympathoinhibitory actions of rilmenidine in 2 conscious animal models, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the normotensive rabbit. In conscious SHRs, we compared the potency of rilmenidine and clonidine administered intravenously into the lateral cerebral ventricle, the cisterna magna, and into the subarachnoidal space of the thoracolumbar spinal cord. In SHRs, we found that rilmenidine was more potent and more effective by the intrathecal than the intracisternal route. By contrast, clonidine was most effective after administration into the cisterna magna. Intravenous administration of rilmenidine or clonidine induced dose-dependent and prolonged decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. Neither rilmenidine nor clonidine altered mean arterial pressure or heart rate when given into the lateral cerebral ventricle. These data suggest that in SHRs the spinal cord may be an important site for the antihypertensive action of rilmenidine. We therefore characterized the receptor type involved. We observed in conscious SHRs that intrathecal post-treatment with idazoxan, a mixed alpha 2-adrenoceptor and IPR antagonist, abolished the antihypertensive effect of rilmenidine, whereas 2-methoxyidazoxan, a selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, caused only a partial reversal of the blood pressure effects of rilmenidine. These results suggest that rilmenidine acts mainly through IPR rather than alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the spinal cord. In view of these findings, we compared the hypotensive actions of rilmenidine and clonidine, administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle, the cisterna magna, and the subarachnoid space of the thoracolumbar spinal cord in conscious normotensive rabbits. Both drugs were less potent and effective when administered intrathecally than intracisternally. These experiments suggest that the hypotensive action of rilmenidine and clonidine in the rabbit is mediated through receptors mainly located in the brainstem. Further, we found that idazoxan reversed the hypotensive action of rilmenidine more readily than 2-methoxyidazoxan. Surprisingly, both idazoxan and 2-methoxyidazoxan completely reversed the depressor effects of clonidine. Therefore, in the rabbit, rilmenidine acts through IPR located in the brainstem and clonidine acts predominantly through alpha 2-adrenoceptors. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate that IPR are involved in the vasodepressor action of rilmenidine in both conscious SHRs and rabbits. However, although the main site of action of rilmenidine in SHRs may be located in the thoracolumbar spinal cord, in the rabbit it appears to be in the brainstem.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Action and interaction of two alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists, methoxamine and St 587, on the rabbit's blood pressure and EEG

In rabbits methoxamine reversed the vasopressor effect of St 587 and abolished the EEG synchronizing action of St 587. The interaction on the blood pressure could be ascribed either to the different chemical structures of St 587 and methoxamine or to partial agonistic properties of St 587. The interaction on the EEG appears to be more complex.