Abstract
In normal spinal cats in which both adrenal veins were ligated, the intravemuous injection of sympathomimetic aldehydes (acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and butyraldeiyde-10 to 20 mg/kg) produced a typical elevation of the blood pressure and contraction of the nictitating membrane. These responses were not abolished by hexamethonium although the action of nicotine was.
In cats treated with reserpine to deplete them of their catecholamines, made spinal and with both adrenal veins ligated, the sympathomimetic aldehydes caused a fall in blood pressure and no contraction of the nictitating membrance. In the normal animal the sympathomimetic aldehydes appear to exert a part of their action by the release of catecholamines from tissue stores other than the adrenal medulla. The identity of the released amine has not been studied.
The releasing action of the aldehydes appears to differ from that of compounds such as tyramine and phenylethylamin Cocaine potentiates the aldehyde sympathomimetic responses but depresses the responses to tyramine and phenylethylamine. Further, infusions of epinephrine or norepinephrine in reserpine-treated animals will restore the pressor respomuse and the action on the nictitating membrane of agents such as tyramine and phenylethylamine while the response to the aldehydes after such infusions is unchanged.
Footnotes
- Received March 17, 1959.
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