title: On the mechanism of positive inotropic effects of alpha-adrenoceptor agonists.
abstract: The positive inotropic effect of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine is accompanied by an increase in the presumed second messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (1,4,5-IP3) and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (1,3,4,5-IP4). Both 1,4,5-IP3 and 1,3,4,5-IP4 sensitize myocardial contractile proteins in chemically skinned fibers. In addition to the Ca++ releasing effect of 1,4,5-IP3 from the sarcoplasmic reticulum the Ca++-sensitizing effect of the inositol phosphates may play a role in alpha 1-adrenergic positive inotropism. In isolated heart muscle preparations from patients with endstage heart failure (due to dilated cardiomyopathy) beta-adrenergic as well as alpha 1-adrenergic effects are reduced compared to preparations from healthy hearts. The reduced beta-adrenergic effects can in part be explained by an increased content of signal transducing G1-proteins. It is tempting to investigate whether other G proteins are also altered in severe congestive heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Allgemeine Pharmakologie, Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, FRG.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kohl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scholz
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007295:Inositol Phosphates / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D007295:Inositol Phosphates; D010656:Phenylephrine; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D002118:Calcium