Muscarinic effects of various isoarecaidine esters in sympathetic ganglia.

1 The pressor effects of various tertiary and quaternary isoarecaidine esters in both pithed and anaesthetized rats are reported. In order to elucidate the mechanism of action, various experiments were carried out with the quaternary isoarecaidine methyl ester (Q-4-Me). 2 Treatment with mecamylamine, dexetimide, reserpine and phentolamine abolished or reduced the pressor response to Q-4-Me, whereas pretreatment with cocaine gave rise to a prolonged pressor effect.

Vascular smooth muscle contraction initiated by postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation is induced by an influx of extracellular calcium.

Vasoconstriction in pithed, normotensive rats elicited via stimulation of postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors by B-HT 920 was antagonized by EDTA and the calcium antagonists nifedipine, D 600 and verapamil, whereas pressor responses to the alpha 1-agonist methoxamine were unaffected. This indicates that vasoconstriction in vivo initiated via postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors requires an influx of extracellular calcium. Thus, the antihypertensive effect of calcium antagonists may be based upon a diminution of vascular tone maintained by postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors.