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Circulating and tissue catecholamines in rats with chronic neurogenic hypertension

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Summary

To study the role of peripheral catecholamines in plasma and different tissues in neurogenic hypertension we measured directly blood pressure, maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise (dp/dtmax) and heart rate through an aortic catheter 5 weeks after total sino-aortic baroreceptor deafferentation in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood samples were collected through the same catheter to determine plasma catecholamine concentrations. Blood pressure and dp/dtmax were significantly higher in neurogenic-hypertensive rats when compared with sham operated rats. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations and plasma adrenaline concentrations reached significantly higher levels in neurogenic-hypertensive rats. In the heart noradrenaline content was lower (when calculated per g wet weight) and in the adrenal medulla adrenaline content was higher in neurogenic-hypertensive rats, when compared with sham operated controls. A significant positive correlation was found between dp/dtmax and plasma noradrenaline concentrations.

It is concluded that sino-aortic baroreceptor deafferentation produces a significant chronic hypertension, probably supported by elevated plasma catecholamine concentrations and enhanced synthesis and release of adrenaline from adrenal medulla.

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Author notes

  1. P. Dominiak

    Present address: Physiologisches Institut, Universität München, Pettenkoferstraße 12, 800, München 2, FRG

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Pharmakologie, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, FRG

    P. Dominiak, F. Kees & H. Grobecker

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  1. P. Dominiak
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  2. F. Kees
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  3. H. Grobecker
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Dominiak, P., Kees, F. & Grobecker, H. Circulating and tissue catecholamines in rats with chronic neurogenic hypertension. Basic Res Cardiol 81, 20–28 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01907424

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01907424

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