THE VASOPRESSOR ACTION AND TOXICITY OF CYCLOHEXYLETHYLAMINE DERIVATIVES

¹ Pharmacology Section, Sterling-Winthrop Research Institute, Rensselaer, New York

Hydrogenation of the ring of some phenethylamine derivatives reduces sympathomimetic pressor action and abolishes sympathomimetic depressor action. The cyclohexylethylamine derivative is clearly less potent than the corresponding phenyl analog. The 4-hydroxycyclohexyl compounds are less toxic than their phenyl analogs whereas the relationship is reversed in the absence of the 4-hydroxy substitution.

Potent sympathomimetic amines such as epinephrine and 1-arterenol cause marked myocardial stimulation. The spike component of the pressor response is largely the result of this action and for that reason should not be used as a basis for the comparison of vasoconstrictor action. The secondary rise in pressure corresponds most exactly with vasoconstriction and was used as the basis for the estimation of epinephrine ratios in this investigation of pressor action.