Effects of reserpine on water, cation, and norepinephrine contents of cardiovascular tissues of normotensive dogs.
Six adult male mongrel dogs were treated orally with reserpine (0.03 mg/kg) for 6 weeks, after which time the arterial tissue content of water, cations (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium), and norepinephrine was determined and compared with those of six untreated dogs. Reserpine administration resulted in sustained decreases in the mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate, and the arterial tissues of the treated dogs contained less potassium, calcium, and magnesium, the last-named being affected most, but the sodium remained the same. Arterial norepinephrine content was significantly decreased. There was a slight but significant increase in plasma magnesium, without any noticeable changes in other plasma cations. The reduction in the arterial magnesium by reserpine may help to regulate vascular tone and (or) vascular reactivity.
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004285:Dogs; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
D004573:Electrolytes; D014867:Water; D012110:Reserpine; D012083:Renin; D009638:Norepinephrine