Adrenoceptor Subtypes Involved in the Baroreceptor Reflex Constriction of Large Coronary Arteries in the Anaesthetized Dog

The baroreceptor reflex was invoked by bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries in anaesthetized dogs. The effect of bilateral carotid occlusion on the diameter of the left circumflex coronary artery and late diastolic coronary resistance was examined after bilateral vagotomy and antagonism of beta-adrenoceptors and then compared to responses after selective antagonism of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors. In the absence of any change in heart rate, bilateral carotid occlusion decreased coronary artery diameter (-8 +/- 1%) and increased coronary resistance (59 +/- 14%). Prazosin (0.01 mg/kg i.a.), a selective antagonist of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, significantly attenuated the bilateral carotid occlusion-induced changes in coronary artery diameter (-2 +/- 2%) and late diastolic coronary resistance (20 +/- 11%). Selective antagonism of alpha 2-adrenoceptors by the intra-coronary injection of idazoxan (0.05 mg/kg) significantly reduced the bilateral carotid occlusion-induced increase in coronary resistance (14 +/- 12%) but did not affect the large artery constriction (-8 +/- 4%). When injected into the coronary circulation the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine constricted both the large artery and the resistance vessels. In contrast B-HT 920, a selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, constricted the resistance vessels but did not affect large coronary artery tone. The responses to phenylephrine and B-HT 920 were selectively antagonised by prazosin and idazoxan respectively. Reflex activation of the sympathetic nervous system results in constriction of both large coronary arteries and coronary resistance vessels when there is no change in heart rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)