Mechanisms underlining gender differences in Phenylephrine contraction of normoglycaemic and short-term Streptozotocin-induced diabetic WKY rat aorta.

The female gender reduces the risk, but succumbs more to cardiovascular disease. The hypothesis that short-term (8weeks) Streptozotocin-induced diabetes could produce greater female than male vascular tissue reactivity and the mechanistic basis were explored. Aortic ring responses to Phenylephrine were examined in age- and sex-matched normoglycaemic/diabetic rats. The normoglycaemic male tissue contracted significantly more than the normoglycaemic female and the male/female diabetic tissues. Endothelial-denudation, l-NAME or MB reversed these differences suggesting an EDNO-cGMP dependence. 17ß-oestradiol exerted relaxant effect on all endothelium-denuded (and normoglycaemic endothelium-intact male) tissues, but not endothelium-intact normoglycaemic female. The greater male tissue contraction is attributable to absent 17ß-oestradiol-modulated relaxation. Indomethacin blockade of COX attenuated male normoglycaemic and female diabetic tissue contraction (both reversed by l-NAME), but augmented diabetic male tissue contraction. These data are consistent with the raised contractile TXA(2) and PGE(2) in normoglycaemic male and diabetic female tissues, and the relaxant PGI(2) in diabetic male (and female). The higher levels of PGI(2) in the normoglycaemic and diabetic female perhaps explain their greater relaxant response to Acetylcholine compared to the respective male. In conclusion, there is an endothelium-dependent gender difference in the effect of short term diabetes on vascular tissue reactivity which is COX mediated.

Involvement of AT(1) angiotensin receptors in the vasomodulatory effect of des-aspartate-angiotensin I in the rat renal vasculature.

Angiotensin II is known to act primarily on the angiotensin AT(1) receptors to mediate its physiological and pathological actions. Des-aspartate-angiotensin I (DAA-I) is a bioactive angiotensin peptide and have been shown to have contrasting vascular actions to angiotensin II. Previous work in this laboratory has demonstrated an overwhelming vasodepressor modulation on angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction by DAA-I. The present study investigated the involvement of the AT(1) receptor in the actions of DAA-I on angiotensin II-induced vascular actions in the renal vasculature of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The findings revealed that the angiotensin receptor in rat kidney homogenate was mainly of the AT(1) subtype. The AT(1) receptor density was significantly higher in the kidney of the SHR. The increase in AT(1) receptor density was also confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In contrast, AT(1) receptor density was significantly reduced in the kidney of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Perfusion with 10(-9)M DAA-I reduced the AT(1) receptor density in the kidneys of WKY and SHR rats suggesting that the previously observed vasodepressor modulation of the nonapeptide could be due to down-regulation or internalization of AT(1) receptors. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed no significant changes in the content of AT(1) receptor mRNA and protein. This supports the suggestion that DAA-I causes internalization of AT(1) receptors. In the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat, no significant changes in renal AT(1) receptor density and expression were seen when its kidneys were similarly perfused with DAA-I.

Hydrogen peroxide modulates angiotensin II-induced contraction of mesenteric arteries from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) contributes in the regulation of vascular tone, especially in pathological states. The role of H(2)O(2) and superoxide anion free radicals in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced contraction of diabetic tissues was examined with the aim of elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Isometric tension in response to various drug treatments was measured in isolated superior mesenteric arteries of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic WKY rats using the Mulvany wire myograph. Compared to the normal (euglycaemic) arteries, the Ang II-induced contraction was significantly reduced in diabetic arteries. Superoxide dismutase (SOD; converts superoxide to H(2)O(2)) significantly reduced the contraction in both types of arteries -- an effect abolished by catalase (H(2)O(2) scavenger), suggesting that the SOD effect was mediated by H(2)O(2). Treatment with catalase had no effect on the Ang II contraction in euglycaemic arteries, but it raised the contraction in diabetic arteries to euglycaemic levels. This increase was similar to that observed with diabetic arteries incubated with L-NAME. Combined catalase and L-NAME treatment further enhanced the contraction in diabetic arteries, suggesting that the catalase effect was not mediated by nitric oxide (NO). The catalase effect was abolished by indomethacin treatment. These results suggest that attenuation of Ang II-induced contraction in diabetic tissues is modulated by endogenous H(2)O(2), the scavenging of which unmasks an indomethacin-sensitive (and therefore cyclooxygenase product-mediated) Ang II-induced contraction.

Pain morbidity in primary care - preliminary observations from two different primary care settings.

The prevalence of pain complaints as a reason for patient-doctor encounters in the local primary care setting is unknown. We performed a cross-sectional survey of such encounters in one public primary care clinic (KK) and 17 general practice clinics (GP), from the city of Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Reasons for visits were recorded by doctors in KK and medical students in GP using a structured questionnaire. Morbidity data was coded using the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2). A total of 2234 encounters were recorded (80.9% from KK, 19.1% from GP). The overall prevalence of pain complaints was 31.9% with a significant difference between the two cohorts (KK 28.7% and GP 45.2%, p<0.001). Musculoskeletal pain complaints were more common in KK than GP (40.9% versus 29.7%, p<0.05). Of the 3 main ethnic groups in Malaysia (Malay, Chinese and Indian) the Indian patients at KK had the highest prevalence of pain complaints and the Chinese at the GP had the lowest. Thus pain was a common complaint in the two different primary care settings studied. Some of the differences observed are probably due to the differences in the healthcare seeking behaviour of patients consulting at these two settings as well as differences in the payment systems.

Modifying antibiotic prescribing: the effectiveness of academic detailing plus information leaflet in a Malaysian primary care setting.

We assessed the effectiveness of an educational intervention in reducing antibiotic prescribing in public primary care clinics in Malaysia. Twenty-nine medical officers in nine clinics received an educational intervention consisting of academic detailing from the resident Family Medicine Specialist, as well as an information leaflet. The antibiotic prescribing rates were assessed for six months - three months before and three months after the intervention. A total of 28,562 prescriptions were analyzed. Among participating doctors, general antibiotic prescribing rates for pre- and post-intervention phases were 14.3% and 11.0% (post-intervention vs pre-intervention RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.83). The URTI-specific antibiotic prescribing rates for pre- and post-intervention phases were 27.7% and 16.6%, respectively (post-intervention vs pre-intervention RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.66). No significant change in antibiotic prescribing rates was observed among primary care practitioners who did not participate in the study. This low cost educational intervention using both active and passive strategies focusing on URTI produced a statistically significant (and clinically important) reduction in antibiotic prescribing.

Many roads lead to Rome--is that true of the teaching and learning of pharmacology? Lessons from three medical schools in Malaysia.

In Malaysia many new medical schools (both public and private) have been set up in the last 12 years. As a result of global changes and local adjustments made in medical training, cross-breeds of different medical curricula have produced a wide spectrum of teaching-learning methods in these medical schools. In this paper, we have selected three medical schools--two public (Universiti Malaya and Universiti Putra Malaysia) and one private (International Medical University) to illustrate different approaches in the teaching-learning of pharmacology that exist in Malaysia. How do these different teaching-learning approaches affect the students' interest and ability to "master" pharmacology and in turn to develop a good prescribing practice?

Effect of des-aspartate-angiotensin I on the actions of angiotensin II in the isolated renal and mesenteric vasculature of hypertensive and STZ-induced diabetic rats.

The present study investigated the action of des-aspartate-angiotensin I (DAA-I) on the pressor action of angiotensin II in the renal and mesenteric vasculature of WKY, SHR and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Angiotensin II-induced a dose-dependent pressor response in the renal vasculature. Compared to the WKY, the pressor response was enhanced in the SHR and reduced in the STZ-induced diabetic rat. DAA-I attenuated the angiotensin II pressor action in renal vasculature of WKY and SHR. The attenuation was observed for DAA-I concentration as low as 10(-18) M and was more prominent in SHR. However, the ability of DAA-I to reduce angiotensin II response was lost in the STZ-induced diabetic kidney. Instead, enhancement of angiotensin II pressor response was seen at the lower doses of the octapeptide. The effect of DAA-I was not inhibited by PD123319, an AT2 receptor antagonist, and indomethacin, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor in both WKY and SHR, indicating that its action was not mediated by angiotensin AT2 receptor and prostaglandins. The pressor responses to angiotensin II in mesenteric vascular bed were also dose-dependent but smaller in magnitude compared to the renal vasculature. The responses were significantly smaller in SHR but no significant difference was observed between STZ-induced diabetic and WKY rat. Similarly, PD123319 and indomethacin had no effect on the action of DAA-I. The findings reiterate a regulatory role for DAA-I in vascular bed of the kidney and mesentery. By being active at circulating level, DAA-I subserves a physiological role. This function appears to be present in animals with diseased state of hypertension and diabetes. It is likely that DAA-I functions are modified to accommodate the ongoing vascular remodeling.

General and URTI-specific antibiotic prescription rates in a Malaysian primary care setting.

Antibiotic prescribing by primary care doctors has received renewed interest due to the continuing emergence of antibiotic resistance and the attendant cost to healthcare. We examined the antibiotic prescribing rate in relation to selected socio-demographic characteristics of the prescribers at the Seremban Health Clinic, a large public primary care clinic, designated for teaching, in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Data were obtained from: (1) retrospective review of prescriptions for the month of June 2002 and (2) a questionnaire survey of prescribers. A total of 10667 prescriptions were reviewed. The overall antibiotic prescribing rate was 15%; the rate (16%) was higher for the general Outpatient Department (OPD) than the 3% for the Maternal & Child Health Clinic (MCH). The antibiotic prescription rates for upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) were 26% and 16%, respectively, for the OPD and MCH. Half of all the antibiotic prescriptions were for URTI making prescribing for URTI an appropriate target for educational intervention. The URTI-specific antibiotic prescription rate did not correlate with the prescribers' intention to specialise, patient load, perceived patient's expectation for an antibiotic, or the score for knowledge of streptococcal tonsillitis. Prescribing behaviours and record-keeping practices requiring correction were identified.

Tetrandrine and related bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from medicinal herbs: cardiovascular effects and mechanisms of action.

Tetrandrine (TET), a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid purified and identified an active ingredient in a Chinese medicinal herb, radix stephanae tetrandrae, has been used traditionally for the treatment of congestive circulatory disorder and inflammatory diseases. TET, together with a few of its structural analogues, has long been demonstrated to have antihypertensive action in clinical as well as animal studies. Presumably, the primary anti-hypertensive action of TET is due to its vasodilatory properties. TET prevents or inhibits vascular contraction induced by membrane depolarization with KCl or alpha-adrenoceptor activation with phenylephrine (PE). TET (30 micromol/L) also inhibits the release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) as well as NO production by inducible NO synthase. TET apparently inhibits multiple Ca2+ entry pathways as demonstrated in cell types lacking the L-type Ca2+ channels. In cardiac muscle cells, TET inhibits both L- and T-type Ca2+ channels. In addition to its actions on cardiovascular tissues, TET may also exert its anti-hypertensive action via a Ca2+-dependent manner on other tissues intimately involved in the modulation of blood pressure control, such as adrenal glands. In adrenal glomerulosa cells, KCl- or angiotensin II-induced aldosterone synthesis is highly dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Steroidogenesis and Ca2+-influx in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells have been shown to be potently inhibited by TET. In bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, TET inhibits Ca2+ currents via L- and N-type channels as well as other unidentified channels with IC50 of 10 micromol/L. Other than the Ca2+ antagonistic effects, TET also interacts with the alpha-adrenergic receptors and muscarinic receptors based on functional as well as radioligand binding studies. Apart from its functional effects, TET and related compounds also exert effects on tissue structures, such as remodelling of hypertrophied heart and inhibition of angiogenesis, probably by causing apoptotic responses. TET is also known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic actions, which make TET and related compound potentially useful in the treatment of lung silicosis, liver cirrhosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Information overload in the teaching of pharmacology.

Medical students are usually drawn from the best of students, but it is not unusual to see these brilliant students fail their exams or even dismissed from medical school because of poor academic performance. Information overload has been recognized as one of the major contributing factors to this problem. The situation is expected to get worse, with the ever-present technology-induced exponential growth in information. In discussing this issue, the authors echo the concerns of several experts regarding the content overload of medical school curricula, particularly in pharmacology. It is the increasing awareness of this problem that led the Association of American Medical Colleges and the General Medical Council of Britain to promote the concept of a core curriculum for each of the principal disciplines in medicine. Several medical schools have adopted the concept and also the problem-based learning approach, which focuses on ameliorating the complex problems associated with information growth in medical education. Based on the authors' experience as medical students, medical practitioners, and pharmacology teachers, they discuss the factors that contribute to information overload, from psychological and nonpsychological perspectives. Issues such as the design and structure of the curriculum, the quality of training and effectiveness of the teachers (clinically qualified vs. nonclinically qualified teachers), and the psychological preparedness of the students are discussed. The authors make suggestions for improvement.

Dicentrine is preferentially antagonistic to rat aortic than splenic alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation.

AIM: Dicentrine is a known alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, but its alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype selectivity has not yet been determined. We therefore, investigated the putative alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype selectivity of this agent. METHODS: Graded isometric contractile responses of rat aortic rings and spleen to phenylephrine were observed in the absence or presence of various concentrations of dicentrine. The pA2 values for dicentrine were determined. RESULTS: Aortic tissues were more sensitive to phenylephrine-induced contraction than the spleen tissues. Dicentrine was approximately 100 times more potent as an antagonist to the aortic contraction, than it was to the splenic contractions. CONCLUSION: Dicentrine is an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist which is more selective towards the putative alpha 1D-adrenoceptor subtype of the rat aorta than the alpha 1B-adrenoceptor of the spleen.

Mechanism of action of prostaglandin E2 in the dog skeletal muscle circulation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) influences the dog skeletal muscle circulation by a direct action on the vascular smooth muscle or via pre- or post-synaptic modulation of sympathetic neurotransmission. METHODS: In 18 anaesthetised dogs, a gracilis muscle was vascularly isolated and perfused at constant flow. Sympathetic vasoconstrictor tone on the muscles was reflexly controlled by alterations to the pressure at which the isolated carotid sinuses were perfused. The effects of PGE2 injection into the muscle were compared at low carotid sinus pressure, high carotid sinus pressure, and following denervation of the muscle, with or without noradrenaline infusion. RESULTS: At all levels of sympathetic tone, PGE2 produced significantly more vasodilation than the saline vehicle. However, at a carotid sinus pressure of 46.0 +/- 2.3 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), PGE2 caused a decrease in femoral arterial perfusion pressure of 52.6 +/- 7.1 mmHg, which was significantly greater than the response at a carotid sinus pressure of 208.5 +/- 3.7 (33.6 +/- 4.2 mmHg decrease) or following denervation (25.6 +/- 3.7 mmHg decrease). In a separate group of denervated muscles, PGE2 caused a similar decrease in perfusion pressure in the presence or absence of a noradrenaline infusion. CONCLUSIONS: PGE2 appears to cause vasodilation through two separate mechanisms: one mechanism involves presynaptic inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstrictor tone, whilst the other is independent of the sympathetic nervous system, and is therefore presumably a direct action on the vascular smooth muscle or endothelium. Under our experimental conditions, both mechanisms contributed equally to the vasodilation.

Effects of acidosis or alkalosis on the actions of nifedipine on excitation-contraction coupling in the rat tail artery.

1. The clinical success of calcium channel blockers in the management of organ ischaemia is less than theoretically anticipated. Blood gas/pH changes are associated with organ ischaemia; therefore, we studied the possibility that pH changes could alter the pharmacological effects of the calcium channel blocker nifedipine on rat tail artery contracted by either noradrenaline (NA) or potassium. 2. Segments (2-2.5 cm) of the proximal third of the male Sprague-Dawley rat tail ventral artery were initially bathed and perfused with a physiological salt solution (PSS; pH 7.48) for 25-30 min, after which time bathing/perfusion was continued with a nominally calcium-free PSS made acidotic (pH 7.20), alkalotic (pH 7.67) or unaltered (control). After equilibration, the perfusion pressure (PP) responses to increasing concentrations of calcium in the presence of NA (3.0 mumol/L) or potassium (100 mmol/L) with nifedipine or its vehicle were recorded. 3. The calcium sensitivity of potassium- or NA-stimulated rat tail arteries was reduced during acidosis, as was the maximum PP in potassium- but not NA-stimulated tissues. Alkalosis reduced the calcium sensitivity in potassium- but not NA-stimulated contraction and had no effect on maximum PP. 4. The inhibitory effect of nifedipine (0.6 mumol/L) on contraction was enhanced during acidosis in either NA- or potassium-stimulated arteries and also during alkalosis in NA-treated arteries, although it had little effect during normal conditions. 5. The results indicate that changes in pH alter the vascular contractility profile in a manner dependent on the excitation-contraction coupling mode. The calcium antagonistic effect of nifedipine is pH dependent and it is suggested that pH changes associated with ischaemic conditions may alter the therapeutic profile of nifedipine.

Influence of extracellular pH, sodium propionate and trimethylamine on excitation-contraction coupling in the rat tail artery.

1. The effects of extracellular or intracellular pH changes on agonist- or depolarization-induced contractions of the rat tail artery were investigated. 2. Vessels were perfused initially (25 min) with physiological salt solution (PSS) at a pressure of 30 mmHg. Perfusion was then continued with calcium-free PSS containing either 3.0 micromol/L noradrenaline (NA) or 100 mmol/L K+, which had been made either acidotic or alkalotic. Contractile responses to graded concentrations of calcium were assessed. 3. A reduction in the intracellular or extracellular pH was induced by the addition of a weak acid (30 mmol/L sodium propionate) or reduction of the concentration of HCO3- in the PSS, respectively; an elevation of the intracellular or extracellular pH was produced by the addition of a weak base (10 mmol/L trimethylamine) or by increasing HCO3-, respectively. The PSS was bubbled with 5% CO2/95% O2. 4. Lowered intracellular pH did not alter NA- or K+-stimulated contractions. During lowered extracellular pH, contractile responsiveness and peak response were significantly reduced in K+-stimulated arteries, but were not affected in NA-stimulated arteries. 5. Elevated intracellular pH did not alter NA-induced contraction, but reduced the sensitivity to K+-stimulated contractions. Elevated extracellular pH had little effect on the magnitude of K+-induced contractions, but slightly enhanced (although not significantly) NA-induced contractions. 6. It is concluded that reduced contractile responses to K+ during extracellular acidosis are due to the modulation of potential-operated calcium channels (POC). Alkalotic vasodilatation is mediated by intracellular events and is POC-modulated, whereas alkalotic vasoconstriction appears to be due to extracellular events and is modulated by receptor-operated calcium channels (ROC).

Influence of pH changes on the actions of verapamil on vascular excitation-contraction coupling.

We have previously shown that pH changes alter the cardiovascular responses to verapamil in rat, in vivo and in isolated rat heart. The current study investigated the influence of pH changes on the actions of verapamil on potassium- or noradrenaline-stimulated contraction in rat tail arteries. The proximal 2-2.5 cm of ventral tail artery was bathed in and perfused initially (20-25 min) with physiological salt solution (pH 7.4) which was later made calcium-free at pH 7.4 (control), pH 7.2 (acidosis) or pH 7.67 (alkalosis). After equilibration each artery was exposed to verapamil following which the contractile responses to increasing concentrations of calcium were recorded. The patterns of responses in noradrenaline- or potassium-stimulated arteries were different. In normal conditions, the vasodilator effect of verapamil was predominant in potassium-stimulated arteries but less in the noradrenaline-stimulated preparations. With pH changes the effect of verapamil was enhanced more in noradrenaline- than in potassium-stimulated arteries. It is postulated that pathology-induced changes in the character of calcium channels could alter the effect of calcium channel blockers.

Influence of stimulation parameters on the release of adenosine, lactate and CO2 from contracting dog gracilis muscle.

1. The addition of adenosine, CO2 and lactate to the venous blood draining an isolated constant-flow perfused gracilis muscle was studied in anaesthetized and artificially ventilated dogs during twitch and tetanic contractions. 2. Venous adenosine concentration increased from 154 +/- 33 nM (mean +/- S.E.M.) to 279 +/- 121 or 280 +/- 125 nM after 10 min of 1.5 or 3 Hz twitch contractions and to 240 +/- 120 or 276 +/- 139 nM after 10 min of 1 or 5 s tetani occurring at 0.1 Hz. Twitch contractions at 0.1 or 0.5 Hz for 10 min did not significantly elevate venous adenosine. 3. Venous lactate concentration was significantly increased after 10 min of 1.5 or 3 Hz twitches or 5 s tetani at 0.1 Hz. There was a good correlation (r = 0.70; P < 0.001) between venous adenosine and lactate concentrations. 4. Venous partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) was significantly elevated after 10 min of 1.5 or 3 Hz twitch contractions or 1 or 5 s tetani at 0.1 Hz. There was also a good correlation (r = 0.58; P < 0.001) between venous adenosine concentration and PCO2. 5. Venous partial pressure of O2 (PO2) decreased during all contractions except those at 0.1 Hz, but the oxygen cost per unit of tension x time was similar during every pattern of stimulation, and the percentage of the total energy production achieved by anaerobic means during muscle contractions did not exceed that at rest, indicating that there had been no limitation to the oxygen supply. Venous PO2 was poorly correlated with venous adenosine concentration (r = 0.28), but quite well correlated with venous lactate concentration (r = 0.53; P < 0.001). If the indirect influence of PO2 on venous adenosine concentration via an increase in lactate concentration was eliminated by partial correlation, then the coefficient for the relationship between venous adenosine concentration and venous PO2 became 0.15. 6. There was a significant correlation between the venous adenosine concentration and the venous pH (r = 0.53; P < 0.001). If the influence of oxygenation on venous adenosine and pH was eliminated by partial correlation, the coefficient for the relationship between venous adenosine and pH increased to 0.95.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Blood pH and the actions of nifedipine on cardiac excitation-contraction coupling.

Hearts from male Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused, by the Lagendorff method, with calcium-free Krebs solution (containing either adrenaline or a high level of potassium) at pH 7.48 (control), 7.26 (acidosis) or 7.69 (alkalosis). When the hearts stopped contracting, a dose of nifedipine or its vehicle was given before measuring the force of contraction, coronary perfusion pressure and heart rate in response to graded doses of calcium. The calcium-antagonising efficacy of nifedipine was reduced during acidosis in both adrenaline- and potassium-stimulated hearts, but the reduction was greater in the adrenaline-stimulated hearts. Alkalosis led to a small increase in the efficacy of nifedipine on adrenaline- and potassium-stimulated contractions.

Influence of pH changes on the actions of verapamil on cardiac excitation-contraction coupling.

Langendorff preparations of Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were perfused with calcium-free Krebs solution of pH 7.48 (control), 7.26 (acidosis) or 7.69 (alkalosis) containing either adrenaline or potassium. The responses of the force of contraction, coronary perfusion pressure and heart rate to graded doses of calcium preceded by a single dose of verapamil were measured. Contractile responsiveness to calcium was reduced during acidosis in both adrenaline- and potassium-stimulated hearts but was increased or reduced during alkalosis with adrenaline- or potassium stimulation, respectively. The efficacy of verapamil as a calcium antagonist increased during acidosis or alkalosis in both adrenaline- and potassium-stimulated hearts. In conclusion, acidosis or alkalosis inhibits potassium-stimulated contractions of the heart and enhances the effects of verapamil on potassium- and adrenaline-mediated contractions. Acidosis inhibits and alkalosis enhances adrenaline-stimulated contractions.

Cardiovascular responses to nifedipine in anaesthetized rats with abnormal blood gas/pH levels.

1. Blood pressure and pulse rate responses to intravenously (i.v.) administered nifedipine were studied in chloralose-anaesthetized rats subjected to hypoxaemia, hyperoxaemia, alkalosis, acidosis, hypocarbia with alkalosis, or hypercarbia with acidosis. 2. Ventilation with a gas mixture of 17% O2, 28% O2, or 23% O2 with 5% CO2 at a fixed stroke volume (10 mL/kg) and rate (80 strokes/min) induced hypoxaemia, hyperoxaemia or hypercarbia, respectively. Hypocarbia was induced by ventilation with 17% O2 at 160 strokes/min. Acidosis or alkalosis was produced by intravenous infusion of 1 mol/L HCl or 1 mol/L NaHCO3, respectively, in animals ventilated with room air. 3. There were significant decreases in blood pressure and pulse rate during acidosis, and increases in pulse rate during alkalosis and hypercarbia. No marked changes in these parameters were observed under the other experimental conditions. 4. The control animals showed a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure without marked changes in pulse rate in response to nifedipine injection. 5. Significant reductions in the hypotensive effect of nifedipine were observed in rats subjected to alkalosis, acidosis, or hypercarbia. A similar tendency was also found during hypocarbia while the responses to nifedipine during hypoxaemia and hyperoxaemia were statistically the same as those in the controls. 6. It is concluded that alterations of blood pH reduce the hypotensive effect of nifedipine, and we suggest that blood pH changes probably play a more important role than PO2 or PCO2 abnormalities in altering the cardiovascular responses to nifedipine in hypoventilated or hyperventilated rats.

Effects of blood gas/pH abnormalities on the cardiovascular actions of verapamil in rats.

1. The effects of hypoxaemia, hyperoxaemia, alkalosis, acidosis, hypocarbia with alkalosis or hypercarbia with acidosis on the blood pressure and pulse rate responses to verapamil were studied in chloralose-anaesthetized rats. 2. At a fixed stroke volume (10 mL/kg) and rate (80 strokes/min; except for the hypocarbic group at 160 strokes/min), hypoxaemia, hyperoxaemia, hypercarbia with acidosis, or hypocarbia with alkalosis was induced by artificial ventilation with gas mixtures containing 17% O2, 28% O2, 23% O2, with 5% CO2, or 17% O2, without CO2 respectively. Acidosis or alkalosis was produced by intravenous infusion of 1 mol/L HCl or 1 mol/L NaHCO3 respectively, in animals artificially ventilated with room air. 3. Changes in individual blood gas/pH parameters had no significant effect on blood pressure except for acidosis which caused a significant decrease. Effects on pulse rate were significant increases in the alkalosis and hypercarbia groups, decrease in the acidosis group, while in other conditions no significant changes were recorded. 4. In the controls, intravenous injections of verapamil 20-320 micrograms/kg caused dose-dependent increases in mean blood pressure, while effects on pulse rate were not marked. 5. The hypotensive responses to verapamil were significantly alleviated or enhanced in the presence of alkalosis or acidosis respectively. Verapamil also caused greater falls in pulse rate during acidosis. Effects of Po2 changes were not statistically significant. The influence of PCO2 changes remained unclear. 6. The present findings suggest that changes in blood pH may play a more important role than Po2 alterations in affecting the cardiovascular responses to verapamil in the presence of blood gas abnormalities.