title: Idazoxan effects upon contractile activity in the rat aorta are related to alpha adrenoceptors and L-type channels.
abstract: Idazoxan is an alpha(2) adrenoceptor antagonist and alpha(1)/alpha(2) partial agonist which also blocks imidazoline receptors. Although idazoxan is widely used in pharmacological studies, its intrinsic vasoactive properties could bring about some limitations. Others have shown that in rat aorta contracted by phenylephrine idazoxan induces relaxation and that in rat small arteries it preferentially antagonizes the alpha(1)-mediated response. We further investigated this matter, using the rat aorta and focusing on the endothelium-independent effects and on L-type channels. In our study, idazoxan inhibited the contraction induced by phenylephrine, an effect which was stronger in the presence of endothelium, but did not affect the contractions induced by various other agents (high potassium, angiotensin II, prostaglandin F(2alpha)). This preferential inhibition was attenuated by 10(-4) m, but not by 10(-5) m yohimbine, and also reduced by 10(-2) m tetraethylammonium and blunted by 10(-4) m methoxyverapamil. In concentrations above 10(-5) m idazoxan induced weak contractions of the de-endothelized rings, which were prazosin- and methoxyverapamil-sensitive. Others have suggested that cyclic guanosine monophospate mediates the idazoxan-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but this is difficult to reconcile with our findings. Potassium efflux could play some role in the direct relaxing effect of idazoxan. The observed idazoxan effects appear as based on action upon alpha(1) receptors, but a direct interaction with L-type calcium channels could also be taken into consideration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Gr. T. Popa Iasi, Iasi, Romania. dnserban@umfiasi.ro
authors.forename: Dragomir Nicolae
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Serban
authors.forename: Ionela Lacramioara
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Serban
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nechifor
mesh_terms: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019329:Idazoxan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000502:physiology; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D010656:Phenylephrine; D019329:Idazoxan