Faculty Collaboration Database

Alpha adrenoceptor subtypes and receptor reserve in human versus canine saphenous vein: sensitivity to blockade by nitroglycerin. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1988 Dec;247(3):941-8

Date

12/01/1988

Pubmed ID

2905005

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0024269976 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   11 Citations

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the subtypes of alpha adrenoceptors present in human saphenous vein and to determine if there is a large receptor reserve for phenylephrine as has been demonstrated in canine saphenous vein. The subtypes of alpha adrenoceptors found in isolated human saphenous vein were determined using selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists. Prazosin, a selective alpha-1 antagonist, produced a parallel shift of the concentration response curve to phenylephrine, a selective alpha-1 agonist, with no significant reduction in the maximal response. Yohimbine, a selective alpha-2 antagonist, produced a parallel shift of the concentration response curve to B-HT 920, a selective alpha-2 agonist, with no reduction in the maximal response. The pA2 values obtained for prazosin and yohimbine in human saphenous vein agreed closely with corresponding values obtained in canine saphenous vein. These results demonstrate that both alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors exist in human saphenous vein. Phenoxybenzamine (10(-7) M), an irreversible alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly reduced the maximal response produced by phenylephrine, an agonist with high intrinsic activity, with no significant shift in the concentration response curve in human saphenous vein, suggesting that there was little or no alpha-1 receptor reserve for phenylephrine. The sensitivity of alpha-1 versus alpha-2 adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstrictor responses to nitroglycerin were compared in human and canine saphenous veins. In both species, nitroglycerin blocked the vasoconstrictor response produced by stimulation of alpha-2 adrenoceptors to the same degree.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Author List

Eskinder H, Hillard CJ, Olinger GN, Christensen CW, Baker JE, Warltier DC, Gross GJ

Authors

John E. Baker PhD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Cecilia J. Hillard PhD Associate Dean, Center Director, Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
Adult
Aged
Animals
Azepines
Dogs
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Male
Middle Aged
Nitroglycerin
Phenylephrine
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha
Saphenous Vein
Species Specificity
Vasoconstriction