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Biomedical subjects

D C Gerke

Publications and source records attributed to D C Gerke.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The effects of etilefrine on blood vessels in the rat tail.

Etilefrine was found to constrict blood vessels in the rat tail through a mechanism which was partly dependent on the sympathetic nerves present in these vessels. The response to the drug was enhanced by pretreagment with noradrenaline and cocaine, and totally abolished by the alpha-receptor antagonist phentolamine. When compared with several other sympathomimetic agents which were tested on the vessel, etilefrine appeared to have a low order of vasoconstrictor activity. These findings would seem to have considerable relevance to the clinical situation where an attempt has been made to use etilefrine in the treatment of patients with orthostatic hypotension.

Animals↗

The effect of local anaesthetics on the vasoconstrictor response of the isolated perfused artery to adrenaline and noradrenaline.

The vascular response to intraluminally and extraluminally administered catecholamines mixed in combination with local anaesthetics has been studied using the isolated perfused rabbit ear artery as the model system. Potentiation of the vascular response to extraluminal adrenaline was observed when prilocaine, lignocaine or cocaine were combined in low concentrations with the vasoconstrictor. No potentiation of the vascular response to extraluminally administered noradrenaline could be demonstrated in the presence of prilocaine or lignocaine. Further, no potentiation to either catecholamine was found if the artery had been denervated or the drugs were applied intraluminally. Possible mechanisms for the potentiation of extraluminally applied adrenaline are discussed.

Anesthetics, Local↗

The effects of 2-phenylalanine 8-lysine vasopressin (octapressin) on blood vessels in the rat tail.

Isolated perfused segments of the ventral rat tail artery have been used in this study to investigate the effects of octapressin on vascular smooth muscle and its interaction with other vasoconstrictor agents. It was found that repeated octapressin administration was associated with tachyphylaxis and that the onset and rate of development of this phenomenon could be modified by cocaine. The constrictor action of catecholamines, electrical stimulation and serotonin on the rat tail artery was potentiated by octapressin. Mechanisms which may be involved in octapressin tachyphylaxis are discussed.

Angiotensin II↗

The influence of adrenergic nerves of the response of blood vessels in the rabbit ear to 2--phenylalanine-8-lysine vasopressin (Octapressin).

The blood vessels in the rabbit ear have been used to investigate the effects of octapressin on vascular smooth muscle. Continuous administration of this drug resulted in tachphlatis. Cocaine enhanced the response of the ear to octapressin; however, this potentiation was not evident when phentolamine was concurrently added to the perfusate. Denervation and reserpinisation of the ear also eliminated the potentiation of octapressin's response by cocaine. The results suggest that there is a small, indirect sympathomimetic component involved in octapressin's action on the vasculature.

Adrenergic Fibers↗

Adrenergic innervation of human mesenteric blood vessels.

A fluorescent histochemical technique has been applied to study the adrenergic innervation of human superior mesenteric arteries obtained at autopsy. Specific catecholamine fluorescence was demonstrated in the smaller branches of this artery taken from three infants and one child. No specific fluorescence was seen in arteries from three adult subjects.

Age Factors↗

Extensive drug surveillance--a pilot study.

The aim of this Extensive Drug Surveillance programme was to develop a system of drug monitoring suitable for detecting adverse drug reactions in hospitalised patients. The monitored field was a general medical ward in the Royal Adelaide Hospital and monitoring was carried out for a period of one month (September 1974). A total of 85 patients (45 males and 40 females) were monitored and in 14 of them adverse reactions were noted. The overall incidence of such reactions was 16.5%. A greater intake of drugs was a significant finding in patients who experienced adverse reactions. Coupled with this was the observation that patients who stayed longer in hospital had a greater number of drugs administered to them. A third finding was the higher incidence of reactions in female patients.

Drug Prescriptions↗