Humoral effect of norepinephrine on renin release in humans.
We compared the effects of infused norepinephrine (NE) to another alpha-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine, in order to understand better the influence of circulating NE on plasma renin activity (PRA) in man. In matched groups of normotensive men, NE (80 ng/min/kg) or phenylephrine (800 ng/min/kg) raised blood pressure by 15 to 20 mm Hg and caused reflex decreases in heart rate of 8 to 10 beats per minute. Infused phenylephrine suppressed PRA by about 15%, whereas NE increased PRA by about 40% (P less than .02). This differential effect of alpha-agonists on PRA defines an important humoral effect of NE, which should be considered to be a "cardiovascular hormone."
Licht
M R
MR
Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York.
Izzo
J L
JL
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*
D010656:Phenylephrine; D012083:Renin; D009638:Norepinephrine