Further studies on the mechanism of action of methyldopa on the vas deferens of the guinea-pig.
Methyldopa (400 micrograms/ml) abolished neurally evoked contractions of the guinea-pig vas deferens after 1.5 hr incubation. The tissue became supersensitive to noradrenaline and acetylcholine but was now insensitive to potassium chloride. On the other hand, tissues treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) were supersensitive to noradrenaline but not to acetylcholine. The results suggest that cholinergic mechanisms may also be affected by methyldopa.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects*
D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D008750:Methyldopa; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D000109:Acetylcholine; D009638:Norepinephrine