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Immunologic phagocytosis by macrophages: effect by stimulation of alpha adrenergic receptors.

Alpha adrenergic stimulating drugs, metaraminol, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, was found to increase, in vitro, immunological phagocytosis by mice peritoneal macrophages. This effect could be inhibited by dibenamine, a blocking agent. The stimulation by alpha adrenergic agents was similar to that caused by drugs that reduce the intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate or by drugs that increase the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

Cardiovascular responses to blockade of angiotensin and alpha-adrenergic receptors.

Both angiotensin and alpha-adrenergic blocking agents reduce arterial blood pressure in hypovolemic states. We have compared the effects of an angiotensin antagonist (saralasin) and an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent (phenoxybenzamine) in supramaximal dosage on cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and venous tone in rabbits rendered hypovolemic by restriction of sodium intake, supplemented by a furosemide-induced diuresis 48 h prior to study. Saralasin (10 microgram/kg per min) reduced arterial blood pressure significantly (-15 +/- 1.2 mmHg) despite an unchanged cardiac output (P less than 0.025) due to a fall in total peripheral resistance. Phenoxybenzamine (5 mg/kg) induced a much larger fall in arterial blood pressure (-28 +/- 3.6 mmHg), despite an identical reduction in total peripheral resistance, because cardiac output also fell (+/- 9 ml/kg per min). The reduction in cardiac output was associated with a significant increase in hindlimb venous distensibility (P less than 0.001) after alpha-adrenergic blockade. Saralasin, conversely, had no influence on venous tone. Adrenergic mechanisms contribute to cardiovascular homeostasis through an influence on both arteriolar and venous tone, whereas the effect of angiotensin is directed entirely to the arteriolar side of the circulation.

Animals

alpha-adrenergic receptor in rat heart. Effects of thyroidectomy.

The effects of thyroid status on alpha-adrenergic receptors in the rat myocardium were investigated. The potent antagonist [3H]dihydroergokryptine was used to identify alpha-adrenergic receptors in rat heart particulate and sarcolemmal fractions. Administration of triiodothyronine to thyroidectomized rats decreased specific binding to alpha-adrenergic receptors in heart particulate and sarcolemmal fractions by 41% and 45%, respectively. Scatchard analysis revealed that the cardiac sarcolemmal fraction from thyroidectomized rats contained 29.3 fmol/mg of protein, as compared with 17.0 fmol/mg of protein found in the heart preparation of thyroidectomized rats treated with triiodothyronine. The equilibrium dissociation constants for the interaction of receptors with dihydroergokryptine were similar (about 1.5 nM) in the heart sarcolemmal fractions derived from these two groups of rats. The results of this study demonstrate that thyroid hormone can regulate the number of cardiac alpha-adrenergic receptors. In addition, there appears to be a reciprocal relationship between alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic receptors in the rat myocardium.

Animals

Effects of alkanols and halothane on rat brain muscarinic and alpha-adrenergic receptors.

Effects of the primary alcohols ethanol, butanol, pentanol and of halothane were measured on the binding functions of muscarinic and alpha-adrenergic receptor preparations in rat brain homogenates, with the use of the antagonists 3H-quinuclidinyl benzilate and 3H-WB-4101. IC50 concentrations of the alkanols for the muscarinic and alpha-receptors respectively were: ethanol, 2.0 M and 1.4 M; butanol, 0.24 M and 0.16 M; heptanol, 3.7 X 10(-3) M and 2.6 X 10(-3) M. The plot of IC50 values versus number of carbon atoms in the alkanol was linear and of the same slope as the plot of membrane fluidity changes, thus indicating the importance of the membrane/water partition coefficient of the alkanol. Halothane at clinical concentrations had no effect on the receptors, although significant inhibition of radioligand binding was produced by 2.5 mM halothane, and inhibition was complete in presence of 17.5 mM anesthetic. From the correlation of receptor binding inhibitions with membrane fluidity changes reported by other workers, it is suggested that the activity of membrane receptors may be modulated by the fluidity of their membranes.

Alcohols

In vitro determination of the ability of drugs to bind to adrenergic receptors.

Alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors were studied by measuring the binding of 3H-dihydroergocryptine and 3H-dihydroalprenolol, respectively, to membranes prepared from homogenized rabbit iris--ciliary bodies. The binding of 3H-dihydroergocryptine appears to be specific for alpha-adrenergic receptors, since adrenergic agents displace this radioligand with the following order of potency: phentolamine greater than epinephrine greater than or equal to norepinephrine greater than or equal to isoproterenol = propranolol. The binding of 3H-dihydroalprenolol appears to be specific for beta-adrenergic receptors, since adrenergic agents displace this radioligand with the following order of potency: propranolol greater than or equal to isoproterenol greater than or equal to epinephrine greater than norepinephrine greater than or equal to phentolamine. Clonidine and dopamine bind to the alpha-adrenergic receptor but have little activity at the beta-adrenergic receptor. Timolol, d-isoproterenol, and dipivalyl epinephrine bind to the beta-adrenergic receptor but have little activity at the alpha-adrenergic receptor. The results demonstrate that in vitro binding assays for alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors are useful for studying the mechanism of drug action.

Alprenolol

Regulation of rabbit myometrial alpha adrenergic receptors by estrogen and progesterone.

The effects of estrogen and progesterone on uterine alpha-adrenergic receptors were investigated by direct receptor-binding studies. Immature female rabbits were primed with estrogen by intramuscular injections for 4 days. Other rabbits were primed with progesterone by injections of estrogen for 4 days followed by injections of progesterone for 4 days. The alpha adrenergic antagonist, [3H]dihydroergocryptine, was used to directly assess the number and affinity of alpha adrenergic receptors in membranes derived from estrogen-and progesterone-primed uteri. Membranes from estrogen-primed uteri contained 257 +/- 52 fmol of [3H]dihydroergocryptine-binding sites per mg protein whereas membranes from progesterone-primed uteri contained 83 +/- 11 fmol of of binding sites per mg protein. This reduction of alpha adrenergic receptor-binding sites by progesterone was statistically significant (P less than 0.02). In contrast, no significant difference in the binding site affinity was observed between the estrogen- and progesterone-primed groups. The progesterone-induced decrease in the number of uterine alpha adrenergic receptors provides a potential explanation for the reduced alpha adrenergic contractile response to epinephrine in the progesterone-primed myometrium.

Animals

Unusual alpha adrenergic receptor potency of methyldopa metabolites on melanocyte function.

Catecholamines possessing alpha adrenergic receptor agonist properties induce lightening or reverse melanocyte stimulating hormone darkening of frog skin in vitro. The capacity to activate this alpha receptor by the methyldopa metabolites methyldopamine and methylnorepinephrine was compared with the capacity of the naturally occurring dopa metabolites, dopamine and norepinephrine. Melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced darkening or dispersion of the granules was reversed by each of these metabolites. Methylnorepinephrine was 10 times as potent as norepinephrine, and methyldopamine was 30- to 100-fold more potent than the naturally occurring dopamine. These inhibitory effects on melanocyte stimulating hormone could be blocked or partially impaired using the alpha adrenergic blocker, phentolamine. They were not affected by pretreatment of frogs with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pheniprazine (Catron) nor by the application of pheniprazine, angiotensin or serotonin in vitro. This neuroendocrine model has alpha adrenergic receptor relationships analogous to those described in the central nervous system for methyldopa metabolites.

Animals

Renin and aldosterone secretion in pheochromocytoma. Effect of chronic alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade.

Patients suffering from pheochromocytoma characterized by an exclusive or almost exclusive excess of norepinephrine showed no (one patient) or only a moderate increase (two patients) in renin and aldosterone secretion. In those three patients with concomitant distinct hypersecretion of epinephrine, renin release (and aldosterone secretion except in one patient) was markedly enhanced. Similar results were obtained in a patient with excess norepinephrine and dopamine secretion. Renin release was markedly reduced in all patients during preoperative long-term alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade. With the exception of one patient, increased renin and aldosterone secretion was abolished. The results indicate that augmentation in renin release depends on the ratio of the different catecholamines secreted by the pheochromocytoma and their different effe-tiveness in stimulating beta-adrenergic receptors. Even in the presence of excess catecholamine secretion, there is evidence that renin secretion is predominantly mediated by beta receptors rather than by renal vascular alpha-adrenergic receptors. Normalization of catecholamine-induced enhanced renin release in patients with pheochromocytoma during chronic alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade supports the assumption that (alpha-) adrenergic blocking agents inhibit renin secretion distal to their blockade of specific adrenergic receptors. However, contrary to beta-adrenergic blockade, circadian rhythm of renin release seems to remain intact during alpha-adrenergic blockade.

Adolescent

Characterization of the human platelet alpha-adrenergic receptor. Correlation of [3H]dihydroergocryptine binding with aggregation and adenylate cyclase inhibition.

Human platelets aggregate and undergo a release reaction when incubated with catecholamines. Indirect evidence indicates that these events are mediated through alpha-adrenergic receptors. We used [(3)H]dihydroergocryptine, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, to identify binding sites on platelets that have the characteristics of alpha-adrenergic receptors. Catecholamines compete for the binding sites in a stereo-specific manner with the potency series of (-) epinephrine > (-) norepinephrine > (+/-) phenylephrine > (-) isoproterenol. The dissociation constant (K(d)) of (-) epinephrine is 0.34 muM. Binding is saturable using a platelet particulate fraction but not with intact platelets. There are 0.130 pmol binding sites per milligram protein in fresh platelet membranes. This number represents approximately 100 binding sites per platelet. The K(d) for [(3)H]-dihydroergocryptine was 0.003-0.01 muM. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (K(d) = 0.0069 muM) was much more potent than the beta-adrenergic antagonist (+/-) propranolol (K(d) = 27 muM) in competing for the binding sites. The binding data were correlated with catecholamine-induced platelet aggregation and inhibition of basal and prostaglandin E(1)-stimulated adenylate cyclase. (-) Epinephrine was more potent than (-) norepinephrine in producing aggregation whereas (-) isoproterenol was ineffective. The threshold dose for inducing aggregation by (-) epinephrine was 0.46 muM. Phentolamine and dihydroergocyrptine blocked this response, whereas (+/-) propranolol had no effect. (-) Epinephrine and (-) norepinephrine inhibited basal and prostaglandin E(1)-stimulated adenylate cyclase in a dose-related manner. The concentration of (-) epinephrine inhibiting adenylate cyclase 50% was 0.7 muM. This inhibition was also blocked by phentolamine and dihydroergocryptine but not by (+/-) propranolol. The specificity of binding and the close correlation with alpha-adrenergic receptor-mediated biochemical and physiological responses suggest that the [(3)H]dihydroergocryptine binding site represents, or is closely related to, the human platelet alpha-adrenergic receptor. The ability to assay this receptor directly and to correlate these data with independently measured sequelae of receptor activation should facilitate increased understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the human platelet alpha-adrenergic receptor.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors

[The role of beta and alpha adrenergic receptors in the lipolytic effect of catecholamines on dog adipocytes (author's transl)].

Pharmacological properties of adrenergic receptors have been investigated in fat cells isolated from omental adipose tissue of the Dog. From the results, the following points can be stated. 1. Lipolysis is markedly enhanced by isoproterenol. This effect is competitively inhibited by propranolol (a beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent). (Fig 1). 2. The beta 2-sympathomimetic salbutamol is found to have only a slight effect on lipolysis rate (Fig. 2). 3. The epinephrine-induced lipolysis is potentiated by phentolamine (an alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent) only on large sized adipose cells (mean fat cell size 96.7 +/- 5.3 micrometer; Fig. 5). 4. The isoproterenol-induced lipolysis is partially inhibited by phenylephrine (an alpha-adrenomimetic drug) (Table I). These findings show that beta 1 nature of the receptors involved in the adrenergic control of lipolysis in Dog adipose tissue. Moreover an antilipolytic effect of epinephrine, via alpha-adrenergic receptors, is observed, especially in large adipose cells.

Adipose Tissue

Interaction of imidazoline alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists with histamine receptors.

Because the alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists phentolamine and tolazoline are similar in structure to histamine, it is possible that the vasodilatation caused by these drugs may be due in part to stimulation of histamine receptors. The vascular effects of these agents were studied in the hindquarters of rats and the gracilis muscle of dogs. To eliminate interruption of sympathetic vasoconstrictor tone as a mechanism of vasodilatation, all animals were treated with the alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist, dibozane. After dibozane, histamine caused vasodilatation in the rat, whereas both tolazoline and phentolamine caused vasoconstriction. It is concluded that phentolamine and tolazoline do not stimulate vascular histamine receptors in the rat. In the dog, after alpha-receptor blockade, phentolamine and tolazoline caused vasodilatation, as did histamine. Responses to histamine were partially attenuated by mepyramine and greatly attenuated by the combination of mepyramine and metiamide, indicating the participation of both H1- and H2-histamine receptors. Vasodilatation caused by phentolamine was not reduced by antihistamines and does not appear to involve histamine receptors. Vasodilatation following tolazoline was blocked by metiamide but not mepyramine. It is concluded that in addition to blockade of alpha-adrenergic receptors, tolazoline can cause vasodilatation by stimulation of histamine H2-receptors.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists

Role of alpha-adrenergic receptors in exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

The role of alpha-adrenergic receptors in exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) was studied. 9 asthmatic patients with a marked degree of EIB (group I) and 6 asthmatic patients with no or a less severe EIB (group II) were investigated and compared with 8 healthy control persons. Pulse rate, airway resistance and end-expiratory thoracic gas volume were measured at rest and immediately and 15 min after exercise. Group I subjects showed a significant inhibition of EIB after alpha-adrenergic blockade with phentolamine (10 mg as aerosol) and after cholinergic blockade with an atropine-ester (60 mg as aerosol). In 7 of 9 patients who had received phentolamine, and in 3 of 6 patients who had received atropine-ester, the EIB was completely suppressed. In group II the administration of propranolol (40 mg orally) produced a significant increase in EIB. The effect of propranolol could be inhibited by the addition of alpha-adrenergic blockade with phentolamine (10 mg as aerosol). The control subjects had no measurable EIB, even after the administration of propranolol (40 mg orally). It is concluded that, in addition to the vagal system, an activated alpha-adrenergic system is involved in the phenomenon of EIB.

Adult

Alpha-adrenergic receptors in rat myocardium. Identification by binding of [3H]dihydroergocryptine.

[3H]Dihydroergocryptine ([3H]DHE) binds to sites in membranes derived from rat myocardium that have the characteristics expected of alpha-adrenergic receptors. The binding is saturable with 41 fmol [3H]DHE bound per mg of protein and of high affinity with KD = 2.9 nM. The binding is rapid and readily reversible. Adrenergic agonists compete with [3H]DHE for binding in the order: epinephrine greater than norepinephrine greater than isoproterenol; and adrenergic antagonists compete for binding in the order: phentolamine greater than propranolol. For comparison, (-)[3H]dihydroalprenolol [(-)[3h]dha] was used to bind to sites in the same membrane preparations having characteristics of beta-receptors. The number and affinity of beta-receptors were quite similar to those of the alpha-receptors with 46 fmol (-)[EH]DHA per mg protein bound at saturation and KD = 2.5 nM. These techniques allowed identification of both beta- and alpha-adrenergic receptors in membranes derived from isolated atria, right ventricular free walls, and left ventricles including interventricular septa. This is the first report documenting direct identification of myocardial alpha-receptors by radioligand-binding techniques and complements the literature previously reporting myocardial inotopic and electrophysiological responses to alpha-adrenergic stimulation.

Alprenolol

Platelet function in essential thrombocythemia. Decreased epinephrine responsiveness associated with a deficiency of platelet alpha-adrenergic receptors.

Platelets from two patients with essential thrombocythemia failed to aggregate or release serotonin in response to concentrations of epinephrine that aggregated platelets from normal controls. Therefore, we studied their alpha-adrenergic receptors, using 3H-dihydroergocryptine (3H-DHE), an alpha-adrenergic antagonist. These platelets contained an average (mean +/- S.E.) of 210 +/- 18 and 227 +/- 27 3H-DHE binding sites per platelet--less than half that found on control platelets, 464 +/- 37 (P less than 0.01). In contrast, platelets from two other patients with essential thrombocythemia responded to epinephrine and contained a normal number of 3H-DHE sites. Platelets in essential thrombocythemia demonstrated normal kinetics of 3H-DHE binding and normal affinities for 3H-DHE and for epinephrine. When control platelets were preincubated with a half-saturating concentration of 3H-DHE, there was a diminution of epinephrine-induced platelet function comparable to that seen in essential thrombocythemia. Thus, a deficiency of alpha-adrenergic receptors may account for diminished functional responsiveness of platelets to epinephrine in some patients with essential thrombocythemia.

Aged

The inhibitory effect of coli-endotoxin on alpha-adrenergic receptor functions in the lower urinary tract. An in vitro study in cats.

The effects of endotoxin from E. coli 06 on alpha-adrenergic receptor functions have been investigated in muscle strips from the outlet region of the feline bladder. The endotoxin from this strain, known to cause urinary tract infections, inhibited the alpha-adrenergic contractions induced by phenylephrine and noradrenaline. This inhibition was dose-dependent, correlated to time of exposure, and reversible. Alpha-adrenergic receptor function in muscle strips from cat aorta was also inhibited, but not cholinergic stimulation of muscle segments from the bladder.

Animals

Quantitative study of alpha-adrenergic receptors in circular and longitudinal muscle of isthmus of rabbit fallopian tube and in rabbit aorta.

The affinity of phenylephrine (pD2 value) and KB value for phentolamine for the alpha-adrenergic receptors of circular and longitudinal muscle of isthmus of rabbit fallopian tube and rabbit aorta have been estimated. The affinity of both phenylephrine and phentolamine was significantly more for the alpha adrenoceptors of the longitudinal muscle of isthmus of rabbit fallopian tube and rabbit aorta than circular muscle of isthmus of fallopian tube. The results of this investigation suggest that alpha adrenoceptors of circular muscle of isthmus are atypical. If this holds good for the human fallopian tube, the development of selective alpha-adrenergic-receptor agonists and antagonists may be of potential practical application for the control of fertility.

Animals