title: Alpha-adrenergic receptors in the regulation of liver functions.
abstract: Rat liver contains 80% alpha 1 and 20% alpha 2 receptors. The role of adrenergic regulation of liver functions was studied by administration of antagonist and agonist pharmaca. Female rats were treated with the selective alpha 1 receptor blocker prazosin. A transitory inhibition of microsomal monooxygenases was observed after 5 days which was terminated at the 12 day. A 18.7% loss of glycogen was measured at this time indicating a slight adrenergic glycogenolytic effect. Dihyd 50-ergocryptime an equal lebocker of alpha 1 alpha 2 receptori preserved glycogen content and has not impaired liver functions. Agonist epinephrine inhibited monooxygenase functions and mobilised 75% of hepatic glycogen. Simultaneous administration of prazosin with epinephrine resulted into glycogen loss due to alpha 2 receptor stimulation. Dihydroergocryptine antagonised rather the metabolic actions of epinephrine. We have established that alpha 2 receptors are also involved in hepatic carbohydrate metabolism.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kulcsár-Gergely
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulcsár
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011224:Prazosin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine; D011224:Prazosin; D004837:Epinephrine