title: Pharmacological characterization of postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptors in human nasal mucosa.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Peripheral Neurobiology, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Michel R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Corboz
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rivelli
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Varty
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mutter
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cartwright
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Eckel
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Anthes
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hey
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D015016:Yohimbine; D010109:Oxymetazoline; D009638:Norepinephrine; D011224:Prazosin; D004837:Epinephrine