title: Alpha 1/alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist selectivity of mono- and dihydroxy-2-N,N-DI-n-propylaminotetralins.
abstract: The pressor activities and the identity of the postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptors involved were determined for a series of congeneric mono- and dihydroxy-substituted 2-N,N-di-n-propylaminotetralins and N,N-di-n-propyldopamine (DPDA) following i.v. administration to pithed normotensive rats. The affinity for alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor-like binding sites was obtained from radioligand displacement studies. The 5- and 7-OH substituted tetralins as well as DPDA were reasonably potent and about equieffective pressor agents. The 6-OH congener had almost no vasoconstrictor effects whereas the 8-OH positional isomer occupied an intermediate position. The 5,6- and 6,7-di-OH analogs very effectively raised the diastolic pressure of pithed rats. On account of the inhibition exerted by prazosin (0.1 mg/kg) and yohimbine (1 mg/kg) the 5- and 7-OH isomers as well as DPDA can be classified as mixed alpha 1/alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-stimulating potency being more pronounced especially for the 5-OH congener. In addition, a significant contribution of serotonin receptors to the pressor responses to the 8-OH compound was detected. Similarly, alpha 2-adrenoceptors were mainly responsible for the vasoconstriction caused by the 6,7-di-OH isomer, whereas the 5,6-di-OH congener very selectively stimulated this alpha 2-type receptor in the lower dose range and alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation predominated at higher doses of this agonist. The 6,7-di-OH compound failed to activate vascular postjunctional beta 2-adrenoceptors. The results indicate that the alpha 1/alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist selectivity depends on the position(s) and the number of hydroxy groups present as well as on the alkyl substitution at the amino function. 2-N,N-Di-n-propylamino-6,7-dihydroxytetralin may be a more suitable alpha 2-adrenoceptor selective agonist than M-7.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D003655:Decerebrate State; D004298:Dopamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes; C020895:N,N-di-n-propyldopamine; D004298:Dopamine