THE MODIFICATION OF THE HEMODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF ACETYLCHOLINE BY ERGOTAMINE

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The pressor responses to acetylcholine obtained in the presence of moderate amts. of atropine were usually converted into depressor effects by 0. 5 to 2 mg. of ergotamine tartrate. This reversal occurred in adrenalectomized as well as in intact animals. Additional atropine restored the original acetylcholine pressor effects in most animals. Since ergotamine did not interfere with the liberation of "sympathin" by the action of acetylcholine on the sympathetic ganglia or the penetration of these chemical mediators into the receptor cells, the action of ergotamine in reversing the acetylcholine pressor effect is one of sensitizing the vasodilator mechanism to acetylcholine and not to a sympatholytic action of this alkaloid. The pressor effect of epinephrine was not reversed by ergotamine in atropinized animals.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: