RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Endogenous opiate peptides may limit norepinephrine release during hemorrhage.
JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther
FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
SP 656
OP 660
VO 232
IS 3
A1 J C Schadt
A1 R R Gaddis
YR 1985
UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/232/3/656.abstract
AB The involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in the cardiovascular response to hemorrhage and subsequent opiate receptor blockade was studied in conscious rabbits. Plasma catecholamines were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography to indirectly assess sympathetic activity. Arterial blood samples were drawn at four times during the experiment: 1) before hemorrhage; 2) after a 15% blood loss; 3) after mean arterial blood pressure decreased to less than 40 mm Hg; and 4) 2 min after an i.v. injection of naloxone (3 mg/kg) or saline. Rapid removal of 15% of the total blood volume (approximately equal to 8 ml/kg) increased heart rate and plasma norepinephrine. Plasma epinephrine and blood pressure remained at control levels. Further hemorrhage (approximately equal to 16 ml/kg) produced a sudden decrease in blood pressure and a large increase in plasma epinephrine. Plasma norepinephrine was not significantly different from the previous sample. Subsequent injection of naloxone significantly increased plasma norepinephrine and blood pressure compared to the saline-treated group. Plasma epinephrine was similar in the two groups. These studies suggest that naloxone may exert its pressor effect during hemorrhagic hypotension in the conscious rabbit by blocking a naturally occurring, opiate peptide-mediated inhibition of norepinephrine release. The results are consistent with a peptidergic limit on sympathetic activity being responsible for the decrease in blood pressure seen during acute hemorrhage.