Evidence of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the nasal blood vessels of the dog.
alpha-Adrenoceptor subtypes were demonstrated in an in vitro preparation of the vascular smooth muscle of the canine nasal mucosa. alpha 1-Receptors were located on the surface of vascular smooth muscle (postsynaptic). alpha 2 Subtypes were situated both at postsynaptic and presynaptic sites on adrenergic nerve terminals. Presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation yielded an inhibition of excessive norepinephrine release from nerve terminals. Stimulation of postsynaptic receptors, either alpha 1 or alpha 2, produced vasoconstriction. Although there was good evidence of the presence of postsynaptic alpha 2-receptors, they did not appear to be dominant among the postsynaptic receptors.
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D013569:Synapses
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha