Pharmacological characterization of postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptors in human nasal mucosa.
BACKGROUND
Functional alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoreceptor subtype pharmacology was characterized in an in vitro human nasal mucosa contractile bioassay.


METHODS
Nasal mucosa was obtained from 49 donor patients and mucosal strips were placed in chambers filled with Krebs-Ringer solution and attached to isometric force transducers.


RESULTS
Nonselective a-adrenoreceptor agonists epinephrine, norepinephrine, and oxymetazoline produced concentration-dependent contractions of isolated human nasal mucosa (pD2 = 5.2, 4.9, and 6.5, respectively). The alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonist BHT-920 (10 microM)-induced contractions were blocked by yohimbine (0.01-1 microM) and prazosin (0.01-1 microM) inhibited the contractile response to the alpha1-adrenoreceptor agonist phenylephrine (10 microM). Histological analysis showed that phenylephrine and BHT-920 differentially contracted the arteries and veins of human nasal mucosa, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that functional alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptors are present and functional in human nasal mucosa. The alpha2-adrenoceptors display a predominant role in contracting the veins and the alpha1-adrenoceptors appear to preferentially constrict the human nasal arteries.
Corboz
Michel R
MR
Pulmonary and Peripheral Neurobiology, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA.
Rivelli
Maria A
MA
Varty
Lori
L
Mutter
Jennifer
J
Cartwright
Mark
M
Rizzo
Charles A
CA
Eckel
Stephen P
SP
Anthes
John C
JC
Hey
John A
JA
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010109:Oxymetazoline / Q000494:pharmacology; D011224:Prazosin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D014420:Turbinates; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014680:Veins / Q000502:physiology; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D015016:Yohimbine; D010109:Oxymetazoline; D009638:Norepinephrine; D011224:Prazosin; D004837:Epinephrine