title: Myocardial alpha1-adrenoceptor: inotropic effect and physiologic and pathologic implications.
abstract: Alpha1-adrenergic receptors have been found in myocardium of all mammalian species. Although the exact underlying mechanisms have not been conclusively determined, it would appear that the myocardial effects of alpha1-adrenoceptors may vary in importance according to the pathophysiologic process involved. In physiological conditions, this receptor system plays a role in cardiac growth, cardiac contraction, and has both an antiarrhythmic function as well as a role in cardiac adaptation to various situations. This system is also involved in some pathological processes such as ischemia/reperfusion, ischemic preconditioning, and cardiac hypertrophy. The role of alpha1-adrenoceptors in heart failure is somewhat controversial. Experimental evidence suggests that myocardial alpha1-adrenoceptors can have either beneficial or deleterious effects on the heart. It thus seems possible that the development of agents specific to certain subtypes of alpha1-adrenoceptor and a better understanding of their role in pathophysiologic states could be clinically relevant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Hunan Medical University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sirois
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rouleau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1