PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Neuropeptide Y interaction with the adrenergic transmission line: a study of its effect on alpha-2 adrenergic receptors.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), first isolated in 1982, is widely distributed among the neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems, often in close association with catecholamines. Because of its wide distribution and concentrations in selected areas of the brain, NPY is considered a putative neurotransmitter with several possible physiological effects including modulation of blood pressure, food intake and pituitary hormone release at a central level. Peripherally, the peptide seems to be involved, via direct and indirect mechanisms, in noradrenaline (NA)-mediated vasoconstriction. The ability of NPY to interact with the catecholamine transmission line may underly a possible modulatory influence of NPY on catecholamine receptor characteristics. We recently observed interaction between alpha-2 adrenergic receptors and those for NPY at the presynaptic level. Additional data from our studies in spontaneously hypertensive rats suggest that impairment of these interactions may contribute to the hypertension in this strain.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Phorbol ester and staurosporine modulation of antagonist and agonist binding to alpha-2 adrenergic receptors: differential influence on Na+ versus guanylylnucleotide regulation.

The modulatory influence of the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol dibutyrate (pDBu) and the PKC inhibitor staurosporine on the binding of the antagonist rauwolscine and the agonist (-)-epinephrine to alpha-2 adrenergic receptors was studied in plasma membranes from bovine aorta. In control membranes [3H]rauwolscine binding exhibited high (KDH = 110 pM) and low (KDL = 2.4 nM) affinity components. The addition of 0.1 mM 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] reduced binding to a single component (KD = 1.3 nM) and the addition of 140 mM NaCl increased the proportion of high affinity sites from 7 to 15%, whereas the combination of both Gpp(NH)p and NaCl did not differ from values for NaCl alone. PDBu pretreatment had little effect on [3H]rauwolscine binding with the exception of a small increase in KD in the presence of Gpp(NH)p. Staurosporine pretreatment, however, eliminated the high-affinity component in the absence of Gpp(NH)p or NaCl and rendered Gpp(NH)p ineffective. NaCl was able to restore two components of [3H]rauwolscine binding to the same extent as in untreated membranes. Epinephrine displaced [3H]rauwolscine in a biphasic manner (KDH = 93 nM, KDL = 3.5 microM; %RH = 42). In untreated membranes Gpp(NH)p reduced epinephrine affinity, but did not alter the %RH. NaCl alone increased KDL and caused a partial decrease in %RH, whereas the combination of Gpp(NH)p and NaCl was required to produce a single, low-affinity state (KD = 11.9 microM). PDBu pretreatment reduced epinephrine affinity and blocked the effectiveness of Gpp(NH)p, but the action of NaCl was more pronounced than in untreated membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1992

Platelet alpha-2 adrenergic receptor binding and plasma free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol in depressed patients before and after treatment with mianserin.

To examine the noradrenergic function in endogenous depression, binding of a selective agonist radioligand, 3H-UK14304, to platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and plasma free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG) were measured in untreated depressed patients. The effects of an antidepressant, mianserin, on these parameters were also assessed. The Bmax and Kd values for 3H-UK14304 binding in 26 untreated depressed patients were significantly higher (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01) than those in 26 normal controls. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in plasma free MHPG levels between 12 untreated depressed patients and 12 normal controls. Chronic administration of mianserin to 8 depressed patients slightly increased the Bmax and Kd values. However, plasma free MHPG levels did not change after treatment. These findings suggest that depression is related to the subsensitivity of alpha 2-receptors as indicated by a decreased affinity of platelet alpha 2-receptors. In addition, chronic administration of mianserin further decreased the affinity of alpha 2-receptors. This suggests that mianserin acts not only on alpha 2-receptors but also on the other neurotransmitter systems.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Denervation-induced changes in alpha and beta adrenergic receptors of the rat submandibular gland.

Denervation resulted in a marked increase in the beta adrenergic response and isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate accumulation of dispersed cells prepared from a rat submandibular gland. This increase in beta adrenergic response was paralleled by an increase in the density of beta adrenergic receptors in membranes prepared from these glands. Denervation also produced a moderate increase in alpha adrenergic receptor density in membranes prepared from whole glands. However, the alpha adrenergic response in cells, epinephrine-induced release of potassium, appeared unaltered by denervation. Furthermore, membranes prepared from denervated dispersed cells did not show the increase in alpha adrenergic receptor density seen in membranes from an intact denervated gland. These data demonstrate that removal of noradrenergic nerve terminals affects alpha and beta adrenergic receptors differently. While it is clear that beta adrenergic membrane receptors participate in denervation-induced supersensitivity, the changes in alpha adrenergic membrane receptors are more complex and may not contribute to the supersensitivity seen after denervation. On the basis of competitive binding studies, the adrenergic receptors in membranes from intact submandibular glands were subclassified as beta-1 and alpha-2. Denervation did not alter the binding characteristics of the alpha-2 receptors in this gland, demonstrating that alpha-2 adrenergic membrane receptors can be postsynaptic in this adrenergically innervated tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Clonidine blocks acute opiate-withdrawal symptoms.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, clonidine eliminated objective signs and subjective symptoms of opiate withdrawal for 240--360 min in eleven addicts in a hospital setting. In an open pilot study of the effects of clonidine on longer-term opiate abstinence and symptoms, the same patients did well while taking clonidine for one week. There was only one documented instance of heroin use, in a patient who did not take clonidine after hospital discharge. 6 weeks or more after the study, four patients were back on reduced doses of methadone, one was on tricyclic antidepressants, and seven were off of all opiates. All eleven patients were doing well. These data suggest that opiate withdrawal is due to increased neuronal activity in areas such as the locus coeruleus which are regulated by both alpha-2 adrenergic and opiate receptors.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Desensitization and down-regulation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine1B receptor in the opossum kidney cell line.

In the opossum kidney cell line the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin; 5-HT)1B receptor is negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase via a Gi protein. Preincubation of opossum kidney cell line cell monolayers with 5-HT resulted in 5-HT1B receptor-mediated desensitization expressed as a 4-fold rightward shift of the dose-response curve and a 10 to 29% decrease of maximal inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP production. These moderate decreases in potency and efficacy were concentration- and time-dependent. Maximal desensitization occurred with 3 hr of 5-HT preincubation. Preincubation with 5-HT caused no change in the potency or efficacy of alpha-2 adrenergic agonist-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP production. Therefore, the desensitization caused by 5-HT preincubation appears to be homologous. Down-regulation of the 5-HT1B receptor, assessed with the high affinity radioligand [125I]iodocyanopindolol, also occurred, and was concentration- and time-dependent. Maximum down-regulation of 40% occurred after 20 hr of exposure to 10 microM 5-HT. These results demonstrate that, like other receptors coupled to the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, exposure of 5-HT1B receptors to an agonist causes desensitization of the functional response followed by down-regulation of the receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

L-dopa is protective against indomethacin-induced small intestinal ulceration in the rat: possible role of an alpha-2-adrenergic mechanism.

Dopaminergic agents ameliorate experimentally induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury, but there is no information about their effect on small intestinal mucosa. We studied the effect of L-dopa and related substances on indomethacin-induced intestinal ulceration in the rat. Ulceration was produced by s.c. injection of 30 mg/kg indomethacin, 30 min after refeeding fasted rats. Total ulcer area was measured 24 hrs after indomethacin administration. L-dopa, 5 mg/kg given in two divided doses 5 h apart, starting 30 minutes before administration of indomethacin, was found to protect the small bowel mucosa against indomethacin- induced damage (ulcer area 122 +/- 5.5 vs 224.2 +/- 5.4 mm2, mean +/- SEM, p less than 0.006). Administration of 5 mg/kg haloperidol, a dopa antagonist, did not abolish the protective effect of L-dopa. On the other hand, yohimbine, an alpha-2-adrenoreceptor antagonist, almost completely abolished the protective effect (180.4 +/- 5.3 vs 122 +/- 5.5, p less than 0.004). Clonidine 20 micrograms/kg, an alpha-2-adrenoreceptor agonist, closely mimicked the protective effect of L-dopa (141.5 +/- 10.9 vs 224.2 +/- 5.4, p less than 0.006). All drugs were give i.p. in two divided doses, at the same schedule as described for L-dopa. The results demonstrate that L-dopa has a protective effect on indomethacin-induced small bowel injury in the rat. The protective effect is probably mediated through stimulation of alpha-2-adrenoreceptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Spinal cord alpha-2 noradrenergic receptors mediate conditioned analgesia.

The present experiment investigated the effects of direct spinal administration of the monoaminergic receptor blockers yohimbine, phentolamine and methysergide on the expression of conditioned analgesia. Animals in the Paired group received classical conditioning trials in which one context was paired with footshock administration (1 mA shock for 15 s). Animals in the Unpaired control group were administered shock in a second, different, context. On the test day animals within each condition were administered saline (20 microliters), yohimbine (30 micrograms), phentolamine (30 micrograms), or methysergide (30 micrograms) prior to receiving a hot plate test (50 degrees C) in the context previously used to shock the Paired group. These ligands were administered into the spinal fluid through a chronic, indwelling spinal catheter. Animals in the Paired group which received saline displayed longer paw lick latencies than saline-treated animals in the Unpaired group. Yohimbine, but not phentolamine or methysergide, attenuated this conditioned analgesia. These results suggest that spinal cord noradrenergic substrates mediate conditioned analgesia, and that this mediation occurs specifically through the alpha-2 noradrenergic receptor.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1992

Do centrally-acting antihypertensive drugs act at non-adrenergic as well as alpha-2 adrenoceptor sites?

Rabbits were treated with guanabenz, clonidine and rilmenidine for 6 days via osmotic minipumps. Blood pressure, heart rate and responses to intracisternal clonidine were measured after 1 and 6 days treatment. Radioligand binding to forebrain and hindbrain membranes after 6 days treatment was examined using [3H]yohimbine to measure the number of adrenergic binding sites and [3H]clonidine and [3H]idazoxan to assess nonadrenergic imidazoline sites. No change in nonadrenergic imidazoline binding was observed but adrenergic binding was decreased in forebrain and hindbrain by guanabenz and in hindbrain by clonidine treatment. Resting heart rate was decreased after 1 day's treatment with partial recovery by day 6. At this time heart rate significantly reduced in the clonidine and rilmenidine treated groups but not the guanabenz group. No significant change in baseline blood pressure was observed in normotensive rabbits. Both depressor and bradycardia responses to intracisternal clonidine were attenuated after 1 day's dosing but only depressor responses were influenced after 6 days. Blood pressure and heart rate thus appeared to be regulated independently. It is possible that imidazoline receptors predominate in the central control of blood pressure while central alpha-2 adrenoceptors play a greater part in heart rate regulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The effect of hypothermic ischemia on the alpha-adrenergic mechanisms of the canine tibia vascular bed.

The effect of hypothermic ischemia on alpha-1 and -2 adrenergic receptor mediated vasoconstriction has been studied in an in vitro perfused canine tibia preparation. Bones were perfused at a constant rate with aerated (95% O2, 5% CO2) modified Krebs Ringer solution and the effect of bolus injections of norepinephrine (0.025-6.4 nmol) on the perfusion pressure was studied. For all bones the first dose-response curve was produced under control conditions. In one group the second dose-response curve was generated during a constant infusion of prazosin (alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist); in another it was produced during a constant infusion of rauwolscine (alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist); in the control group it was generated under control conditions. The results demonstrate that, after 48 h of hypothermic ischemia, alpha-1 adrenergic-mediated vasoconstriction was significantly attenuated (p less than 0.001). However, alpha-2 adrenergic-mediated vasoconstriction was unaffected by increasing periods of hypothermic ischemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Alpha-2-adrenoceptor sensitivity in early alcohol withdrawal.

Growth hormone (GH), blood pressure, and pulse rate responses to clonidine (100 micrograms IV) were studied three times during the first week of alcohol withdrawal in 19 alcohol-dependent patients. Fifteen healthy men were used as controls. The results suggest reduced sensitivity of the alpha-2-adrenoceptors involved in GH secretion for at least 1 week after the end of alcohol intake. In contrast, very short-lasting subsensitivity was found in the alpha-2-adrenoceptors regulating blood pressure.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Further studies on central actions of nitroglycerin and lack of evidence for nitroglycerin interacting on [3H]clonidine binding sites in cortex membranes.

Decerebration and transection of the spinal cord totally abolished the hypotensive and tachycardiac responses to i.c.v injection of nitroglycerin (NTG) and reduced the tachycardia induced by i.v. injection of the drug. The hypotensive responses to i.v. injection of sodium nitroprusside were not altered by decerebration. Microinjection of NTG (0.1-1.0 nmol) into anterior hypothalamic medial preoptic area (AH/POA) produced dose-dependent decreases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate, but minimal responses were induced when the same doses of NTG were injected into the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Pretreatment with rauwolscine (2.5 nmol), injected into the AH/POAs, antagonized the depressor responses to NTG when it was administered into the areas or given i.v. However, rauwolscine did not alter the depressor responses induced by i.v. sodium nitroprusside. Prazosin (1.5 nmol) in the AH/POA did not alter the bradycardic effects induced by microinjection of NTG into the areas. (minus)-Epinephrine significantly interacted with alpha-2 adrenoceptor binding sites, but serotonin and NTG did not interact with [3H] clonidine binding sites in cortex membranes. Results suggest that cardiovascular responses after i.v. injection of NTG involve central and peripheral component. AH/POA is one of the central sites involved in the depressor effects of NTG. NTG-induced modulation of noradrenergic transmission appears to stimulate alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the central nervous system, but the drug does not involve direct interaction with alpha-2 adrenoceptors. Hypotensive effects of sodium nitroprusside result from its action at peripheral sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

SL 84.0418: a novel, potent and selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist: in vitro pharmacological profile.

One novel, potent and selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist is 2-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2- propylpyrrolo[3,2,1-hi]-indole hydrochloride (SL 84.0418). It inhibits with high affinity the radioligand binding to rat cortical alpha-2 adrenoceptors, as well as to human platelet alpha-2 adrenoceptors labeled with [3H]idazoxan (Ki = 7 nM). SL 84.0418 has low affinity for alpha-1 adrenoceptors labeled with [3H]prazosin (Ki = 3.3 microM). In vitro, SL 84.0418 has no alpha agonist properties, whereas it is a potent alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist at both pre- and postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors. In contrast, it possesses low potency as an antagonist at postsynaptic alpha-1 adrenoceptors demonstrating a more than 1000-fold selectivity toward alpha-2 compared with alpha-1 adrenoceptors. In the same tests, the alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan had a selectivity ratio of 200. SL 84.0418 is the racemic mixture of two enantiomers, SL 86.0715 [(+) enantiomer] and SL 86.0714 [(-) enantiomer]. The alpha-2 adrenoceptor blocking activities reside with SL 86.0715. Similar to idazoxan, SL 84.0418 increases in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine from rat hypothalamic slices through the blockade of the presynaptic inhibitory alpha-2 adrenoceptors. In isolated hamster adipocytes, SL 84.0418 potently antagonizes the inhibition of lipolysis induced by UK 14,304. In addition, SL 84.0418 inhibits epinephrine-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets, effects mediated by postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors. SL 84.0418 does not inhibit (IC50 > 1,000 nM) radioligand binding to other receptors or recognition sites, nor does it inhibit calcium, sodium or potassium channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1992

Naloxone-induced bradycardia in pithed rats: evidence for an interaction with the peripheral sympathetic nervous system and alpha-2 adrenoceptors.

Earlier experiments performed in this laboratory have demonstrated that naloxone infusion (1 mg/kg/min i.v.) into conscious rats results in a bradycardia that has a peripheral component, is dependent on a certain level of sympathetic activity and is sensitive to alpha adrenoceptor blockade (5 mg/kg of phentolamine i.v.). The main objective of this investigation was to examine the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for the peripherally mediated naloxone-induced bradycardia, and to test the hypothesis that naloxone interacts with peripheral inhibitory alpha adrenoceptors associated with depression of peripheral sympathetic activity. Naloxone infusion (1 mg/kg/min i.v.) in pithed rats, in the absence of sympathetic nerve activation, resulted in a bradycardia that could not be blocked by 1 mg/kg (i.v.) of atropine, 5 mg/kg (i.v.) of phentolamine, 0.1 mg/kg (i.v.) of prazosin or 0.5 mg/kg (i.v.) of rauwolscine. Isoproterenol or norepinephrine-induced tachycardia was not blocked by naloxone infusion, suggesting that naloxone does not antagonize the postjunctional activation of cardiac adrenoceptors to cause bradycardia. In the presence of sympathetic nerve activity, naloxone depresses neurogenic tachycardia. This effect was blocked completely by 5 mg/kg (i.v.) of phentolamine or 0.5 mg/kg (i.v.) of rauwolscine, but not 0.1 mg/kg (i.v.) of prazosin or 1 mg/kg (i.v.) of atropine. The results of this investigation suggest that the naloxone-induced bradycardia in pithed rats is mediated postjunctionally and prejunctionally, and that this prejunctional effect is dependent on sympathetic nerve activity and inhibitory alpha-2 adrenoceptors. Furthermore, these results confirm results obtained from conscious rats in an earlier investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Long term beta-adrenoceptor-mediated up-regulation of Gi alpha and G(o) alpha mRNA levels and pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding proteins in rat heart.

Chronic stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors leads to increased mRNA and protein levels of pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) in the heart. In the present study the time course is reported of the effect of isoprenaline infusions on myocardial mRNA levels of Gi alpha-2, Gi alpha-3, G(o) alpha, Gs alpha, and G beta and myocardial levels of PTX-sensitive G proteins. Rats were treated by subcutaneous infusions, with osmotic minipumps, of 0.9% NaCl, isoprenaline (2.4 mg/kg/day), propranolol (9.9 mg/kg/day), or a combination thereof for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8 days, and two groups were treated with NaCl or isoprenaline for 13 or 26 days. Additional groups of rats were treated with 0.24 or 0.07 mg/kg/day for 4 days to determine the dose dependency of the effects of isoprenaline. mRNA concentrations were determined by standardized slot blotting with 32P-labeled cDNA or cRNA probes. In isoprenaline-treated rats, mRNA levels of all members of the Gi alpha/G(o) alpha family increased gradually in parallel. The increase in Gi alpha-2, Gi alpha-3, and G(o) alpha mRNA levels reached significance on days 2-3, reached maximal values on days 3-4, and remained stable over the total time of treatment of up to 26 days. Compared with NaCl, maximal increases were 77% (Gi alpha-2; 16.4 versus 9.3 pg/micrograms), 58% (Gi alpha-3; 4.65 versus 2.95 pg/micrograms), and 78% (G(o) alpha; 0.40 versus 0.22 pg/microgram). Gs alpha mRNA levels (about 30 pg/micrograms) and G beta mRNA levels remained unchanged. In isoprenaline-treated rats myocardial levels of PTX-sensitive G proteins increased by maximally 54%, compared with control. The time course differed slightly from the time course of mRNA up-regulation in the first 3 days of treatment and paralleled the increase in mRNA levels from day 4 on. Propranolol had no effect on G alpha mRNA or protein levels when given alone but abolished all effects of isoprenaline when given in combination. Isoprenaline at a dose of 0.24 mg/kg/day still induced an increase in Gi alpha-2 mRNA levels of 24%, without any effects on histopathology of the myocardium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Fetal cocaine exposure causes persistent noradrenergic hyperactivity in rat brain regions: effects on neurotransmitter turnover and receptors.

Fetal cocaine exposure has been shown to cause neurobehavioral abnormalities related to ontogeny of catecholaminergic systems. In the current study, pregnant rats received cocaine (30 mg/kg s.c. daily) from gestational days 8 through 20 and markers of presynaptic and postsynaptic noradrenergic function were monitored in the offspring from birth to young adulthood. Animals in the cocaine group had normal body and brain region weights, and norepinephrine levels showed only minor differences from control values. However, fetal cocaine exposure produced marked noradrenergic hyperactivity, as assessed by norepinephrine turnover. The effect was selective for noradrenergic synapses, as dopamine levels and turnover were largely unaffected. The regional hierarchy of effects on norepinephrine turnover corresponded to the timetable of cell replication/differentiation, namely midbrain + brainstem > forebrain > cerebellum; the resemblance of this pattern to that for effects of glucocorticoids and hypoxia on noradrenergic cell differentiation suggests that cocaine alters development of noradrenergic activity by eliciting fetal hypoxia/ischemia and a consequent release of endogenous glucocorticoids. Effects of fetal cocaine exposure on development of adrenergic receptor subtypes (alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta receptors) were separable from those on noradrenergic presynaptic activity, exhibiting a different regional selectivity. Because cocaine exposure caused an increase in receptor binding superimposed on the increase in presynaptic activity, both factors are likely to contribute to a net synaptic hyperactivity and resultant behavioral teratogenesis.

Age Factors↗