Direct action of methoxamine on the isolated heart muscle.

(over 1 •~ 10-4M). These results suggest that methoxamine possesses a direct negative inotropic action which is mainly due to a decrease in the intensity of the active state. An increase in F produced by isoproterenol was antagonized by methoxamine at a concentration about 100 times higher than that of isoproterenol, suggesting a weak beta-adrenergic blocking action of methoxamine. This antagonistic action of methoxamine was seen also in the effects of isoproterenol on dF/dt as well as TPF. The effect of methoxamine on the mechanics of muscle contraction is qualitatively similar to, but quantitatively different from that of other beta-adrenergic blockers. methoxamine; isolated heart muscle; inotropism; beta-adrenergic blocker