DIURESIS IN RATS: EFFECTS OF SYMPATHOMIMETIC AND SYMPATHETIC BLOCKING AGENTS

Article date: December 1961

By: A. F. GREEN, M. F. SIM in Volume 17, Issue 3, pages 464-472

Dopamine and tyramine possess diuretic properties resembling but weaker than those of noradrenaline in the rat. These three amines produce a relatively smaller loss of sodium than does adrenaline. Bretylium shows a diuretic action which is apparently associated with its sympathomimetic properties and which is antagonized by phenoxybenzamine. However, bretylium causes a relatively greater loss of potassium and chloride than do the sympathomimetic amines. A slight antidiuretic action is shown by bretylium after its diuretic effect has subsided and a similar effect is produced by BW 172C58, which has relatively weak sympathomimetic properties. In contrast to these adrenergic neurone blocking agents, phenoxybenzamine and a ganglion blocking agent (pentacynium) show powerful antidiuretic effects. These observations are consistent with the view that the adrenal medulla has an important role in facilitating water diuresis in rats.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1961.tb01133.x

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