THE COMPARATIVE PHARMACOLOGY OF THE ISOMERIC HEPTYLAMINES

¹ Department of Pharmacology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown

1. The vasopressor activity of the isomeric heptylamines in anesthetized and unanesthetized dogs has been determined and compared with epinephrine. The compounds range from agents with very short duration of action and almost no pressor action to 4-methyl-2-hexylamine which is about 1/200 as active as epinephrine and has a long duration of action.

2. The heptylamines, with the exception of the 4-heptylamine which was inactive, produced an increase in tone in the isolated rabbit jejunum with a concentration of 4 mgm. per 100 cc.

3. In adequate doses, the heptylamines caused contraction of the rat uterus and antagonized the relaxant action of epinephrine.

4. In the perfused heart, the agents produce a decrease in rate, decrease in force of contraction, and decrease in outflow of perfusate.

5. The heptylamines do not antagonize histamine constriction in the perfused guinea pig lung.

6. Orally, in man, the heptylamines have but little pressor action.