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. 1973 Feb;47(2):206–216. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1973.tb08318.x

Central noradrenergic neurones and the cardiovascular actions of clonidine in the rabbit

C T Dollery, J L Reid
PMCID: PMC1776549  PMID: 4722037

Abstract

1. Clonidine (1 μg/kg), given by intracisternal injection to anaesthetized rabbits, lowered mean arterial blood pressure by 33 mmHg and heart rate by 32 beats/min.

2. In animals pre-treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHD 500 μg/kg intracisternally) 7-10 days before, intracisternal clonidine (1 μg/kg) reduced mean arterial blood pressure by only 2·5 mmHg and heart rate by 4 beats/minute.

3. The hypotensive action of intravenous clonidine was reduced to 49% of control by pre-treatment with intracisternal 6-OHD. In unanaesthetized normal animals intravenous clonidine (30 μg/kg) lowered mean arterial blood pressure by 19·3 mmHg, while after 6-OHD it fell only 9·4 mmHg.

4. These studies suggest that the central hypotensive effect of clonidine is dependent on the integrity of central monoaminergic neurones.

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Selected References

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