Quantitative analysis of innervation to dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) fundus-projecting neurons indicates that approximately 17% of input neurons are noradrenergic. To determine whether this small percentage of neurons innervating DMV output to the stomach is physiologically relevant, we evaluated the role of norepinephrine at the DMV in mediating a vagovagal reflex controlling the fu...

We examined the effect of alpha(2)-adrenoreceptor blockade in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) on baroreflex responses elicited by electrical stimulation of the left aortic depressor nerve (ADN) in urethane-anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, n = 11) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n = 11). ADN stimulation produced a frequency-dependent decrease in mean arterial p...

A computational approach to predict structures of rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is presented and evaluated by comparison to the X-ray structural models. By combining sequence alignment, the rhodopsin crystal structure, and point mutation data on the beta2 adrenoreceptor (b2ar), we predict a (-)-epinephrine-bound computational model of the beta2 adrenoreceptor. The model is ...

It has been proposed that sympathetic activation may prevent maximum dilatation of extra-parenchymal cerebral vessels during hemorrhagic hypotension and hypercapnia. In the present study, the effect of alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists (phenoxybenzamine 1.5 mg kg-1 or phentolamine 8 mg kg-1) on pial vessel diameter was studied in the cat during hypotension and hypercapnia alone or in combination...

A patient prescribed timolol maleate for the control of hypertension developed dryness of the eyes. The symptoms improved on withdrawal of the drug. Vigilance for such adverse reactions must be observed in the use of any beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent.

1. The beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking effects of pindolol were compared with those of propranolol and a placebo in a double-blind cross-over trial involving nine hypertensive African patients. 2. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were measured at rest and immediately after exercise before and at intervals up to 6 h after oral administration of the drugs. In addition...

Ten patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and 13 normal control subjects received intravenous infusions of 2 X 10(-6) g/kg of clonidine and normal saline on separate days. Responses to the drug relating to plasma growth hormone (GH), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), heart rate, blood pressure, and several symptoms were determined. Additionally, platelet alpha 2-adrenoreceptor...