Antagonism by propranolol of the ganglion stimulant action of 5-hydroxytryptamine

Marta Weinstock*, Yael Schechter

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of racemic propranolol and its constituent isomers were studied on ganglionic stimulation produced in situ by close arterial injection of 5-HT and DMPP to the superior cervical ganglion. Ganglion stimulation was recorded in terms of the resultant contraction of the nictitating membrane. d,l-Propranolol caused a biphasic antagonism of the ganglion stimulant effect of 5-HT. At low doses, 0.5-10 μg, the antagonism was surmountable by increasing the amount of 5-HT. The l-isomer (0.2-4 μg) but not d-propranolol also caused antagonism. At higher doses, 0.1-5 mg, both d,l- and d-propranolol caused a second type of blockade of 5-HT which was not surmountable and resembled that seen with procaine. The ganglion stimulatn effects of DMPP and acetylcholine were only antagonised by the higher doses of d- and d,l-propranolol. d,l-Propranolol did not reduce the direct stimulation by 5-HT on the muscle of the nictitating membrane.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)293-301
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmacology
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1975
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 5-HT
  • d,l-Propranolol
  • d-Propranolol
  • DMPP
  • Non-specific antagonism
  • Specific antagonism
  • Superior cervical ganglion

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