Pre- and postjunctional beta-adrenoreceptors and hypertension

The pharmacology of nitric oxide in the peripheral nervous system of blood vessels

Unanticipated, novel hypothesis on nitric oxide (NO) radical, an inorganic, labile, gaseous molecule, as a neurotransmitter first appeared in late 1989 and into the early 1990s, and solid evidences supporting this idea have been accumulated during the last decade of the 20th century. The discovery of nitrergic innervation of vascular smooth muscle has led to a new understanding of the neurogenic control of vascular function. Physiological roles of the nitrergic nerve in vascular smooth muscle include the dominant vasodilator control of cerebral and ocular arteries, the reciprocal regulation with the adrenergic vasoconstrictor nerve in other arteries and veins, and in the initiation and maintenance of penile erection in association with smooth muscle relaxation of the corpus cavernosum. The discovery of autonomic efferent nerves in which NO plays key roles as a neurotransmitter in blood vessels, the physiological roles of this nerve in the control of smooth muscle tone of the artery, vein, and corpus cavernosum, and pharmacological and pathological implications of neurogenic NO have been reviewed. This nerve is a postganglionic parasympathetic nerve. Mechanical responses to stimulation of the nerve, mainly mediated by NO, clearly differ from those to cholinergic nerve stimulation. The naming "nitrergic or nitroxidergic" is therefore proposed to avoid confusion of the term "cholinergic nerve", from which acetylcholine is released as a major neurotransmitter. By establishing functional roles of nitrergic, cholinergic, adrenergic, and other autonomic efferent nerves in the regulation of vascular tone and the interactions of these nerves in vivo, especially in humans, progress in the understanding of cardiovascular dysfunctions and the development of pharmacotherapeutic strategies would be expected in the future.

Vascular β-adrenoceptor function in hypertension and in ageing

Functional β-adrenoceptors (β-AR) have been identified and characterized in blood vessels under in vivo conditions as well as in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) grown in culture. Agonist occupancy of β-AR activates adenylyl cyclase (AC) via the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) and leads to elevations in intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate levels (cAMP). Increased cAMP activates the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), with subsequent phosphorylation of various target proteins. This β-AR pathway interacts with several other intracellular signalling pathways via cross-talk, so that activation by β-AR agonists may also modulate other second messengers and protein kinases. SMC β-AR play an important role in SMC function. In intact blood vessels they mediate SMC relaxation by various intracellular mechanisms, ultimately causing a decrease in intracellular Ca2+ levels. In cultured SMC, activation of the β-AR pathway results in inhibition of cellular proliferation, the development of SMC polyploidy, and SMC apoptosis. Blood vessels from hypertensive animals are characterized by an increase in SMC cell mass, a greater incidence of SMC polyploidy in the aorta, and an impairment in the β-agonist-mediated SMC relaxation. Some of these changes may result from an attenuation of β-AR function due to agonist-induced receptor desensitization caused by the uncoupling of receptors from the Gs-AC system. The phosphorylated β-AR may in turn trigger new signals and activate different intracellular pathways. However, the details of these mechanisms are still unresolved. Since functional β-AR play such a prominent and multi-faceted role in SMC function, it is important to understand how these diverse physiological effects are mediated by this receptor system, and how they contribute to the development of hypertension. With ageing, a decrease in β-AR-Gs-AC coupling is observed, and this is implicated in the reduced responsiveness of SMC. The similarities in SMC β-AR functional changes in hypertension and in ageing suggest that the underlying mechanisms are also analogous.Key words: smooth muscle, β-adrenoceptors, cyclic AMP, protein kinase A, cell proliferation, polyploidy, relaxation, apoptosis, hypertension, ageing.

Noradrenergic transmission in the tail artery of hypertensive rats transgenic for the mouse renin gene Ren-2

1. The aim of the present study was to analyse the noradrenergic transmission in the tail artery of hypertensive rats transgenic for the mouse renin gene Ren-2 (TGR) in comparison with its control, the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. 2. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) of vascular segments produced frequency-dependent vasoconstrictions that were significantly greater in TGR arteries. 3. These contractions were abolished by tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM). Phentolamine (50 nM) and prazosin (1 - 10 nM) produced an inhibition of these responses that was significantly greater in SD arteries, whereas that produced by yohimbine (0.5-1 microM) was higher in TGR arteries. In both strains, propranolol (1 microM) potentiated the responses to EFS, and this increase was observed at lower frequencies in TGR arteries. 4. The EFS-evoked [3H]-noradrenaline (NA) release was significantly greater in TGR than in SD rats. However, NA (10 nM-10 microM) reduced and yohimbine and phentolamine (10 nM-10 microM) increased the tritium outflow to a similar degree in both strains. 5. Exogenous NA also induced greater vasoconstriction in TGR arteries. 6. These results suggest the existence in TGR tail artery of an increase in: (a) NA-release and alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions, which could contribute to the elevated blood pressure in these rats; and (b) beta-adrenoceptor-mediated vasodilatations, which may be a mechanism to counteract high blood pressure.

Beta-adrenergic, angiotensin II, and bradykinin receptors enhance neurotransmission in human kidney

The aim of this study was to investigate angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor-, bradykinin receptor-, and beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated modulation of norepinephrine release from human renal sympathetic nerves and to characterize the respective receptor subtypes involved. Human cortical kidney slices were incubated with [3H]norepinephrine, placed in superfusion chambers between two platinum electrodes, and superfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution. The sympathetic nerves were stimulated electrically at 2.5 Hz for 1 minute, and the stimulation-induced outflow of radioactivity was taken as an index of endogenous norepinephrine release. Ang II and its precursor Ang I (both 0.01 to 1 mumol/L) enhanced stimulation-induced outflow of radioactivity in a concentration-dependent manner, with EC50 values of 0.03 and 0.05 mumol/L, respectively. The enhancement by Ang I but not that by Ang II was inhibited by the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (3 mumol/L). The concentration-response curves of Ang I and Ang II were shifted to the right by EXP 3174 (0.01 mumol), the in vitro active form of the Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan, with affinity estimates of 8.72 and 9.30, respectively. A higher concentration of EXP 3174 (0.1 mumol/L) abolished the facilitatory effects of Ang I and Ang II. The Ang II type 2 receptor antagonist PD 123319 (10 mumol/L) did not alter the facilitation by Ang II. In the absence of other drugs, bradykinin (0.01 to 1 mumol/L) failed to modulate stimulation-induced outflow of radioactivity but in the presence of captopril (3 mumol/L) enhanced it in a concentration-dependent manner, with an EC50 of 0.1 mumol/L.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age-related changes in vascular responses: a review

Normal aging is associated with different changes in the cardiovascular system that lead to an increase in pathological processes, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and postural hypotension with enhancement of both morbidity and mortality. The vascular alterations consist of changes in the function and structure of the arteries, and increasing vascular stiffness, mainly when atherosclerosis is present, whose incidence is increased with age. The arteries accumulate lipids, collagen, and minerals. Cerebral perfusion may be reduced in the elderly, mainly regional cerebral blood flow, which leads to a deterioration of mental and physical functions. The degree of deterioration is increased when aging is associated with hypertension. Aging alters endothelial cells, which play an important role in vascular tone regulation. Such a process tends to reduce endothelium-dependent relaxations, and clearly reduces the vasodilation elicited by beta-adrenoceptor agonists. The contractions induced by different agents, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine, high potassium and angiotensin are barely affected with aging, whereas those elicited by noradrenaline or endothelin are usually reduced. However, plasma noradrenaline levels are increased with age, mainly due to a reduction in the sensitivity of presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors and also of noradrenaline uptake. Sodium pump activity, that controls cellular ionic homeostasis, may be altered depending on animal species. Finally, vascular Ca2+ regulation appears to be altered and the extracellular Ca2+ dependence of contractile responses elicited by agonists is increased, which justifies the enhanced sensitivity to Ca2+ antagonists in senescence.

Facilitation by procaterol, a beta-adrenoceptor agonist, of noradrenaline release in the pithed rat independently of angiotensin II formation

1. The effects of the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, procaterol, on sympathetic neuroeffector transmission were studied in the pithed adrenal demedullated rat to determine if generation of angiotensin II was involved in its effect. Pressor responses were elicited by either electrical stimulation (20 V, 2 Hz) of the entire spinal sympathetic outflow or methoxamine (0.1 mg kg-1, i.v.). 2. Sodium nitroprusside (3 and 5 micrograms kg-1 min-1, i.v.) produced hypotension and the pressor responses to both sympathetic nerve stimulation and methoxamine were reduced. This indicates that decreasing blood pressure in pithed rats reduces pressor responses. Procaterol (10 and 30 ng kg-1 min-1, i.v.) also produced hypotension but did not alter pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation. Nevertheless, procaterol (10 and 30 ng kg-1 min-1, i.v.) did reduce pressor responses to to methoxamine. Together these results suggest that procaterol may have enhanced sympathetic neurotransmitter release. This was confirmed in another series of experiments where procaterol (30 ng kg-1 min-1, i.v.) increased plasma noradrenaline levels during sympathetic nerve stimulation. 3. Captopril (5 mg kg-1, i.v.) produced hypotension and as expected reduced pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation. When the hypotensive effect of captopril was abolished by concomitant vasopressin infusion (1.5-4.5 i mu kg-1 min-1, i.v.), pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation were restored to pre-captopril levels. In this situation procaterol (10 and 30 ng kg-' min', i.v.) reduced basal blood pressure and did not alter pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation whereas the pressor responses were reduced by an equihypotensive infusion of sodium nitroprusside (3 and 5 jig kg-' min' , i.v.). The lack of reduction of pressor responses after procaterol in the presence of captopril is indirect evidence that procaterol may have enhanced noradrenaline release independently of angiotensin II.4. In another series of experiments, plasma noradrenaline levels elicited by sympathetic nerve stimulation were not altered by captopril (5 mg kg', i.v.). In the presence of captopril (5 mg kg-', i.v.),procaterol (30 ng kg- min-1, i.v.) no longer enhanced plasma noradrenaline levels during sympathetic nerve stimulation. However, since the dose of captopril is well above that required to block angiotens in converting enzyme (ACE) the effect may be non-specific. Therefore, the selective AT, receptor antagonist, losartan (10mgkg'1, i.v.), was also used. Losartan (10mgkg'1, i.v.) did not alter plasma noradrenaline levels during sympathetic nerve stimulation, and in the presence of losartan procaterol(30 ng kg-I min-', i.v.) enhanced plasma noradrenaline levels during sympathetic nerve stimulation. This result further suggests that 1-adrenoceptor facilitation of noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves in the pithed rat occurs by a mechanism independent of angiotensin II generation.

Modulation of noradrenergic transmission in the rat isolated portal vein: Role of prejunctional α2-adrenoceptors and β-adrenoceptors

1. The effect of several adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on the spontaneous and stimulus-evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline was studied in rat isolated portal vein. 2. Yohimbine (10(-6)M) increased the stimulus-evoked [3H]noradrenaline efflux. Adrenaline alone (3 x 10(-6)M) was without effect, while it increased the resting efflux when added together with yohimbine. 3. Propranolol alone was without effect on the release of [3H]noradrenaline. When added (2 x 10(-6)M) at the same time as yohimbine, it reduced the stimulation-induced 3H efflux. When added before adrenaline and yohimbine, propranolol (10(-5)M) reduced both spontaneous and stimulus-evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline. 4. The effect of several beta-blocking drugs was measured on the enhancing effect of yohimbine on the stimulation-evoked 3H efflux. The beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking drugs: atenolol (5 x 10(-6) and 10(-5) M), metoprolol (5 x 10(-6) and 10(-5) M), like the more selective bisoprolol (2 x 10(-6) and 4 x 10(-6) M) inhibited yohimbine activity. Likewise, propranolol (2 x 10(-6) and 5 x 10(-6)M) and the beta 2-adrenoceptor blocker ICI 118551 exhibited an antagonistic effect. 5. These results indicate the possibility for noradrenaline to activate presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors in rat portal vein. They show an interaction between the presynpatic alpha 2- and beta-adrenoceptor mediated systems in the release of noradrenaline. They suggest the presence and the activity of facilitatory beta 1-adrenoceptors.

Conditioned neuroendocrine and cardiovascular stress responsiveness accompanying behavioral passivity and activity in aged and in young rats

Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), plasma epinephrine (E), plasma norepinephrine (NE), and plasma corticosterone (CORT) were measured in 3-month- and 24-month-old male Wistar rats exposed to a conditioned emotional stress response (CER) paradigm and a conditioned defensive burying (CDB) paradigm. In the CER situation blood samples were taken during reexposure to the training environment one day after a single inescapable footshock (0.6 mA, AC for 3 s) had been administered. In the CER paradigm the young rats displayed passive behavior (immobility) accompanied by an increase in plasma levels of CORT and E, whereas both the control and conditioned animals showed increased NE responses. Previously shocked aged rats exhibited an attenuated plasma NE response, whereas levels of E remained elevated to a greater extent. Aged animals showed elevated basal levels of CORT one day after footshock administration. Stress-induced immobility was preserved in the aged rats. These animals had an increase in basal MAP values and a decrease in basal HR values compared to young ones. In the CDB paradigm, rats were exposed to a nonelectrified probe 1 day after the repeated shock (2 mA/contact) procedure. Young rats displayed defensive burying accompanied by increments in MAP, HR, CORT, and NE. The aged animals showed similar hormonal, autonomic, and behavioral stress responses. Thus, the age-related alterations in neuroendocrine and autonomic response patterns are apparent in stressed animals during behavioral passivity in absence of control (CER) rather than during active control (defensive burying).

Epinephrine and the genesis of hypertension

Several lines of evidence suggest a psychophysiological link between stress, adrenomedullary activation, and the genesis of hypertension. Experimental data support four important concepts: 1) epinephrine stimulates prejunctional beta 2-adrenergic receptors that facilitate norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerve endings; 2) epinephrine can be converted into a cotransmitter by neuronal uptake and on subsequent release augment the simultaneous discharge of norepinephrine; 3) exogenous epinephrine can induce sustained hypertension in rats; and 4) there is a period of critical sensitivity to endogenous epinephrine in a genetic model of rat hypertension. Plasma epinephrine concentrations are elevated in many young subjects with borderline or mild hypertension. The hypothesis that intermittent surges in epinephrine could initiate or promote the development of primary hypertension by amplifying peripheral neurotransmission, both directly (facilitative effect) and indirectly (cotransmitter action), is supported by reports that hemodynamic and noradrenergic responses to sympathetic activation can be augmented by increases in endogenous epinephrine or by its local or systemic (up to 30 ng/kg/min) infusion. Such responses have been documented in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects and can be blocked by propranolol. Although the weight of evidence (mostly indirect) indicates that epinephrine can augment norepinephrine release in humans, the epinephrine hypothesis, itself, remains unproven. Expression of hypertension by this mechanism may be restricted to a specific epinephrine-sensitive subset of individuals with a genetic predisposition to high blood pressure.

Accumulation and release of adrenaline, and the modulation by adrenaline of noradrenaline release from rabbit blood vessels in vitro

The accumulation of (-)-3H-adrenaline (3H-A) by rabbit isolated aorta was studied. In all experiments, monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase were inhibited by treatment with pargyline and 3',4'-dihydroxy-2-methyl-propiophenone, respectively. The relationship between the accumulation of 3H derived from 3H-A and the duration of incubation was linear. The 3H-accumulation after 3 h incubation was 22.5 ml/g. In reserpine-treated tissue, the 3H-accumulation levelled off after 30 min and was 8.5 ml/g after 3 h. The concentration of 3H-A or (-)-3H-noradrenaline (3H-NA) and the 3H-accumulation (ml/g) were inversely related. At 10(-8) M, the 1-hour accumulation of 3H derived from 3H-A and 3H-NA was 7.8 and 15.2 ml/g, respectively. With increasing concentrations the accumulation values approached each other. The accumulation of 3H derived from 3H-A by reserpine-treated tissue also showed an inverse relationship with concentration. The accumulation of 3H derived from 3H-A was dependent on the bath temperature. Storage of tissue (0-5 days in salt solution without equilibration with 95% O2/5% CO2; 4 degrees C) did not affect the accumulation of 3H derived from 3H-A. Thereafter (7-14 days), the accumulation decreased. The inhibitory potency (IC50; -log M) of desipramine, cocaine, propranolol, isoprenaline, and normetanephrine on accumulation of 3H derived from 3H-A was found to be 8.26; 6.50; 5.48; 4.88, and 4.02, respectively. The maximal degree of inhibition was almost the same for these drugs, while that of clonidine and corticosterone was 50 and 20%, respectively. In the presence of desipramine, either clonidine, corticosterone or isoprenaline reduces the accumulation of 3H derived from 3H-A. Ouabain and iodoacetic acid, but not sodium cyanide and 2,4-dinitrophenol, reduced the accumulation of 3H derived from 3H-A. Anoxia (95% N2/5% CO2; 37 degrees C; 1-24 h) did not alter the accumulation of 3H derived from 3H-A. Glucose deprivation alone or combined with anoxia markedly reduced the 3H-accumulation. The release of 3H-A from rabbit isolated aorta was studied. This release was compared with that of 3H-NA. The stimulation-evoked 3H-overflow from aorta preloaded with 3H-A decreased with repeated stimulation. In contrast, prestimulation enhanced subsequent stimulation-evoked 3H-overflows. For both 3H-amines, the 3H-overflow increased concomitantly to the same degree with the number of pulses. The time course of 3H-overflows with either 3H-A or 3H-NA was compared.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Increased beta 2-adrenoceptors in the superior cervical ganglia of genetically hypertensive rats

[125I]Iodocyanopindolol binding sites were characterized by autoradiography in the superior cervical ganglia of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. A high concentration of (-)-[125I]iodocyanopindolol binding sites, characterized as beta-adrenoceptors by (-)-propranolol displacement, was distributed throughout the ganglia and in the postganglionic (internal carotid) nerve. ICI 118,551, a beta 2-selective antagonist, displaced more than 85% of the binding sites, whereas CGP 20712A, a beta 1-selective antagonist, displaced less than 10% of the binding sites, indicating that the beta-adrenoceptors were primarily of the beta 2-subtype. Emulsion autoradiography demonstrated that at least part of the binding sites were associated with principal ganglion cells. Unilateral deafferentation did not modify the number of binding sites in the superior cervical ganglia of WKY or spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). These results suggest that at least part of these receptors may correspond to prejunctional beta 2-adrenoceptors originated in principal ganglion cells. The concentration of beta 2-receptors was increased in the superior cervical ganglia of young and adult SHR when compared to age-matched WKY rats (49% and 39%, respectively). There were no differences in beta 2-adrenoceptor number in the stellate ganglia of young and adult WKY and SHR. These results suggest that beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulation may be selectively enhanced in some peripheral sympathetic ganglia in SHR and this could play a role in the development and maintenance of the increased sympathetic activity in this strain.

Effect of adrenal demedullation and adrenaline on hypertension development and vascular reactivity in young spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. The effects of adrenal demedullation and subcutaneous depots of adrenaline, on hypertension development and vascular reactivity, were determined in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). 2. Plasma adrenaline, but not noradrenaline, was significantly lower in all 16-week-old demedullated SHRs, irrespective of the time of demedullation. However, hypertension development was attenuated only in SHRs demedullated at 6 weeks of age or younger. 3. Adrenaline depots restored hypertension development in SHRs demedullated at 4 weeks, irrespective of the time of depot implantation, but were without effect in sham-operated rats. 4. Pressor responses to exogenous noradrenaline, in isolated perfused mesenteric arteries from 16-week-old demedullated and sham-operated SHRs and those treated with adrenaline depots, did not differ significantly. Maximal neurogenic pressor responses were, however, reduced in mesenteries from all demedullated rats, including those treated with depot adrenaline. Adding adrenaline to the perfusate facilitated neurogenic responses only. 5. Thus, the adrenal medulla appears to be involved in modulating sympathetic neurogenic vasoconstriction. The nature of this sympathoadrenal interaction and its role in the early development of hypertension in the SHR is unclear and is not explicable simply in terms of a facilitation of sympathetic neurogenic responses by adrenaline.

Modulation of noradrenaline release by activation of presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors in the cardiovascular system

Peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals in many tissues, but not all, are endowed with beta-adrenoceptors. Activation of these result in an enhancement of noradrenaline release evoked by electrical nerve stimulation. These so-called presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors are possibly located on the outer surface of the varicosity of the noradrenergic nerves. A postsynaptic location, however, is also a possibility. The presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors appear to be of the beta 2-adrenoceptor subtype. However, specific classification is lacking. The stereospecificity of the beta-adrenoceptors is controversial. These receptors are not activated by noradrenaline released from sympathetic nerves. Adrenaline derived from the adrenal medulla may be the physiological activator. Either circulating adrenaline or adrenaline taken up by sympathetic nerve terminals and then released as a cotransmitter with noradrenaline activates the presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors. In the latter case, a "positive" feedback" loop may be formed.

Defective venous beta-adrenergic response in borderline hypertensive subjects is corrected by a low sodium diet

Hypertensive patients have reduced lymphocyte beta-adrenergic responsiveness which is corrected by a low sodium (Na) diet. To determine if this represents a more generalized abnormality in beta adrenoceptor response, we studied beta adrenergic-mediated vasodilation in hand veins of borderline hypertensive subjects and controls. Subjects received a 5-d diet containing high Na/low potassium (K), high Na/high K, or low Na/high K. Venous distension, as evaluated by a linear variable differential transformer, was measured in relation to infusion of phenylephrine followed by isoproterenol and nitroglycerin. On both the high Na/high K and high Na/low K diets, hypertensive subjects had significantly decreased isoproterenol-mediated vasodilation (47% decrease, P less than 0.01 and 36% decrease, P less than 0.01, respectively). On the low Na/high K diet, isoproterenol-mediated vasodilation in hypertensive subjects increased 41% (P less than 0.01) to a level not different from controls. Nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation was not different in normotensive and hypertensive subjects, nor was it altered with Na intake. Phenylephrine-mediated vasoconstriction did not differ between normotensive and hypertensive groups. Venous beta-adrenergic response correlated with lymphocyte beta adrenoceptor density in normotensive (r = 0.53, P less than 0.005) but not hypertensive subjects. This study demonstrates that beta-adrenergic responsiveness is selectively reduced in peripheral veins of borderline hypertensive subjects, and this is corrected by a low Na diet. In view of our previous findings of reduced lymphocyte beta-adrenergic responsiveness in borderline hypertension, these studies suggest a generalized defect of beta adrenoceptor responsiveness in human hypertension. Further, dietary Na may play an important role in regulating this abnormality.

Vasoconstrictor responses of rat tail artery to sympathetic nerve stimulation contain a component due to activation of postjunctional beta- or alpha 2-adrenoceptors

The role of alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-adrenoceptors in vasoconstrictor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation was investigated in perfused proximal segments of rat tail artery by using selective blocking drugs. Prazosin (1 nM) markedly reduced the responses but idazoxan (100 nM) did not, and propranolol (1 microM) significantly enhanced them, indicating that the vasoconstriction was due to activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors and that it was partly counteracted by a vasodilator component due to activation of beta-adrenoceptors. In the presence of propranolol, idazoxan or reduction of the concentration of Ca2+ in the perfusing solution from 2.5 to 0.63 mM significantly reduced responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation, indicating that a component of the vasoconstrictor response was due to activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Forskolin, which increases cyclic AMP levels independently of beta-adrenoceptors, reduced responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation to a greater extent in the presence than in the absence of propranolol and this effect was additive with that of prazosin but not idazoxan. It is concluded that activation of beta-adrenoceptors inhibits the component of responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation due to activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors because of an inhibitory effect of cyclic AMP on Ca2+ channels linked to alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

Subsensitivity of presynaptic adenosine A1-receptors in caudal arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats

(-)-N6-(R-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (R-PIA) depressed tritium overflow and vasoconstriction evoked by electrical stimulation to a similar extent in isolated tail arteries of Wistar rats (WR) preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline. The inhibitory effects of adenosine, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and R-PIA were determined on the constrictor responses of tail arteries obtained from WR, as well as spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). In WR and WKY, the rank order of agonist potency (R-PIA greater than NECA greater than adenosine) was compatible with the presence of adenosine A1-receptors. Whereas adenosine, NECA and R-PIA were equiactive in WR and WKY, they produced no or only slight changes in SHR. The left renal arteries of some WR were partially occluded to induce hypertension. R-PIA had the same effect in the tail arteries of these animals as in preparations obtained from sham-operated WR. The above results suggest that the subsensitivity of presynaptic A1-receptors in the blood vessels of SHR is genetically determined. This could contribute in vivo to enhanced transmitter release from terminals of perivascular nerves and subsequent increases in vascular resistance.