title: Noradrenaline contracts rat retinal arterioles via stimulation of α(1A)- and α(1D)-adrenoceptors.
abstract: The aim of this study was to characterize the α₁-adrenoceptor subtype(s) involved in the noradrenaline-induced contraction of retinal arterioles in rats. In vivo ocular fundus images were captured with a digital camera equipped with a special objective lens. By measuring changes in diameter of retinal arterioles in the fundus images, retinal vascular response was assessed. The systemic blood pressure and heart rate in the animals were also continuously recorded. Following blockade of β₁/β₂-adrenoceptors with propranolol, noradrenaline (0.03-3 μg/kg/min, i.v.) decreased the diameter of retinal arterioles and increased the mean blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose (3 μg/kg/min, i.v.) of noradrenaline caused a small increase in heart rate. The α(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonist RS100329 (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) and the α(1D)-adrenoceptor antagonist BMY 7378 (1 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly prevented noradrenaline-induced contraction of retinal arterioles and pressor responses whereas the α(1B)-adrenoceptor antagonist L-765314 (1 mg/kg, i.v.) did not. The α(1A)-adrenoceptor agonist, A 61603 (0.03-0.3 μg/kg/min, i.v.), also caused contractile responses of retinal arterioles and pressor responses. These responses were almost completely prevented by RS100329 (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.), but not by BMY 7378 (1 mg/kg, i.v.). These results suggest that the contractile effects of noradrenaline on retinal arterioles and peripheral resistance vessels are, at least in part, mediated by stimulation of α(1A)- and α(1D)-adrenoceptors. Furthermore, it is likely that the α₁-adrenoceptor subtype(s) involved in rat vascular responses are similar in both retinal and peripheral circulation.
authors: Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.
authors: Asami
authors: A
authors: Mori
authors: Masayuki
authors: M
authors: Hanada
authors: Kenji
authors: K
authors: Sakamoto
authors: Tsutomu
authors: T
authors: Nakahara
authors: Kunio
authors: K
authors: Ishii
mesh_terms: D058646:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D058646:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists; D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D011433:Propranolol; D009638:Norepinephrine