Mediation of isoproterenol-induced thirst in rats by β2-adrenergic receptors

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Abstract
Isoproterenol-induced thirst in rats has been attributed to the activation of β-adrenergic receptors. Since these receptors can be further differentiated pharmacologically into β1 and β2 types, experiments were performed using several β-adrenergic agonists and antagonists to determine the receptor type initiating the isoproterenol-induced thirst. The β1- and β2-adrenergic antagonist, d,l-propranolol (1 mg/kg, ip), blocked the increase in water intake usually accompanying acute subcutaneous administration of isoproterenol (25 μg/kg) to female rats. Since l-propranolol is known to stabilize membranes and to possess anesthetic-like properties, d-propranolol was also used. This isomer has little β-adrenergic-blocking activity but possesses anesthetic-like activity. Administration of d-propranolol (1 mg/kg, ip) failed to affect the drinking response to acute administration of isoproterenol (25 μg/kg). Practolol (125 mg/kg), a β1-adrenergic antagonist with little anesthetic properties, also had no effect on water intake of isoproterenol-treated rats. Butoxamine, a selective β2-adrenergic antagonist, attenuated the drinking response to isoproterenol. Salbutamol (150 μg/kg), a β2-adrenergic agonist, mimicked the effect of isoproterenol on water intake. These results are consistent with the suggestion that β2-adrenergic receptors mediate the isoproterenol-induced thirst in rats.