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. 1977 Jan;59(1):51–60. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1977.tb06976.x

Selective reserpine-induced supersensitivity of the positive inotropic and chronotropic responses to isoprenaline and salbutamol in guinea-pig isolated atria.

K J Broadley, P Lumley
PMCID: PMC1667719  PMID: 837007

Abstract

1 Dose-response curves for the positive inotropic and chronotropic responses to isoprenaline were obtained in atria from untreated guinea-pigs and those receiving various reserpine pretreatments. 2 Tension responses were unaffected, whereas rate responses were depressed by the lowest dose of reserpine (0.05 mg/kg i.p. at 24 hours). 3 With larger 24 h doses and a 3 day pretreatment, the rate and tension dose-response curves were progressively displaced to the left, indicating supersensitivity which was greater for tension at each pretreatment. 4 No supersensitivity to histamine or Ca2+ could be detected, leading to the conclusion that it was selective for the beta-adrenoceptor agonists possibly at the receptor level. 5 As an indication of the adrenergic neurone depleting effectiveness of each reserpine dosage, preparations were exposed to test doses of beta-phenylethylamine. 6 Salbutamol was a partial agonist in untreated atria, the maximum rate (63.3%) and tension (10.0%) responses being less than those for isoprenaline. In atria from reserpine pretreated animals the supersensitivity was revealed as an increase of this maximum compared with isoprenaline. 7 The significance of this observation in relation to the possible mechanism of the supersensitivity is discussed.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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