title: Effects of cadmium and lead on adrenergic neuromuscular transmission in the rabbit.
abstract: The effects of inorganic lead (PbCl2) and cadmium (DdCl2) on the pressor response of rabbit saphenous arteries produced by sympathetic nerve stimulation were examined. A 1- to 3-cm length of artery was removed, placed in a bath containing mammalian Ringer solution, and perfused with the same solution at a constant rate sufficient to maintain a 40-60 mmHg perfusion pressure. Increases in perfusion pressure resulting from electrical stimulation -f periarterial nerve endings were reduced or completely blocked by the addition of 5-20 muM lead or cadmium to the bathing solution for a period of 15-30 min. Responses to norepinephrine or to direct electrical stimulation of the muscle remained relatively unaffected. During lead or cadmium blockade, the response to nerve stimulation could be restored by a fourfold increase in calcium concentration. It is concluded that lead and cadmium reduce the response to sympathetic nerve stimulation primarily through an effect on presynaptic nerve terminals.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007854:Lead / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D009638:Norepinephrine