Effects of terbutaline on alpha-adrenergic responses and Ca2+ influx in isolated rabbit aorta
Hsu, C.H.; Robinson, C.P.
Pharmacology and Toxicology 74(2): 61-65
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0901-9928 PMID: 8190703 Document Number: 435088
Effects of terbutaline applied in vivo or in vitro on alpha-adrenergic receptors in the rabbit aorta in normal and Ca-2+-free solution, and on basal, high potassium-, and phenylephrine-stimulated Ca-2+ uptake into aorta were investigated. Three day terbutaline administration (25 mg/kg, subcutaneously three times daily) to rabbits increased the pK-B for phentolamine in aorta rings (control 7.3 +- 0.2, n = 9; terbutaline 7.8 +- 0.2, n = 15). It also depressed phenylephrine-stimulated contractions of aorta rings in Ca-2+-free but not those in normal Krebs solution. It did not significantly depress the basal, or phenylephrine-evoked Ca-2+ influx into aorta rings, but decreased high potassium-induced Ca-2+-influx (control 0.58 +- 0.05 mu-moles/g aorta; n = 3, terbutaline 0.41 +- 0.06 mu-moles/g aorta, n = 3). In vitro application of 50 mu-M terbutaline did not significantly alter phenylephrine-stimulated contractions of aorta rings in Ca-2+-free Krebs solution or significantly depress basal or phenylephrine-induced Ca-2+ influx into aortas, but did decrease high potassium-stimulated Ca-2+-influx. Thus, 3-day terbutaline administration increased the affinity of alpha-adrenergic receptors for phentolamine and had a tendency to increase contractions of aorta rings to phenylephrine. It also decreased high potassium-stimulated Ca-2+ influx, and depressed phenylephrine-induced contractions in Ca-2+-free Krebs solution, while in vitro terbutaline application also decreased potassium-induced Ca-2+ influx.