Abstract

Sympathomimetic amines of the aryl-alkylamine type were used to contract the isolated rabbit aorta strip. The importance of the functional groups of such molecules for the contractile activity was evaluated.

The same amines were used to obtain blood pressure responses in the rabbit. It was found that pressor compounds invariably contracted the isolated aortic strip. Those compounds which did not contract the aortic strip caused only depressor responses.

The sequence of relative potency for this arterial smooth muscle contraction and for blood pressure responses is essentially the same. However, some compounds were relatively more effective on the aortic strip than on blood pressure, and vice versa.