Inhibition by halothane of release of norepinephrine, but not of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, from guinea-pig vas deferens.
Halothane strikingly decreases spontaneous and electrically stimulated release of norepinephrine from the isolated guinea pig hypogastric nerve--vas deferens preparation. This depression of adrenergic discharge appears to be a direct action on the sympathetic nerve endings and may in part account for the cardiovascular depression seen during halothane administration. Although halothane depressed stimulation-induced release of norepinephrine, it did not proportionately diminish release of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Possible mechanisms of the dissociation between catecholamine and enzyme release are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006221:Halothane / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*
D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D006221:Halothane; D009638:Norepinephrine