title: Vasoactive responses of a human cystic artery: adrenoceptor characterization.
abstract: 1. The pharmacology of various agonists and antagonists was studied in the human isolated cystic artery. 2. The estimated pA2s for the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin against the alpha-adrenoceptor agonists phenylephrine, alpha-methylnoradrenaline and noradrenaline were not significantly different. Similar results were seen for estimated pA2s of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine against these same agonists. Equivalent responses to exogenous noradrenaline and to transmural electrical stimulation were blocked to the same degree by an antagonist with alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking properties (prazosin). Responses to transmural electrical stimulation, however, tended to be more resistant than equivalent responses to exogenous noradrenaline to blockade by antagonists with alpha 2-adrenoceptor blocking properties (phentolamine, yohimbine). 3. Relaxation to isoprenaline was observed in partially contracted arterial strips using isoprenaline concentrations of up to 10(-6) M, but cumulative addition of higher concentrations of isoprenaline sometimes then evoked a contraction from the relaxation nadir. The relaxation effect of isoprenaline was antagonized by propranolol (10(-5) M). 4. These findings suggest the human cystic artery has almost exclusively alpha 1-adrenoceptors postjunctionally, although prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors may be present; and, it also has some postjunctional beta-adrenoceptors which mediate relaxation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Cardiology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Wyse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic