Pressor Effects of Amidine Derivatives

Abstract

MANY compounds of general formula R.X.C(:NH)NH₂—where R is an alkyl group attached to the amidine portion of the molecule either directly ('amidines') or through a divalent radical, X, which may be an oxygen atom (iso-ureas), a sulphur atom (iso-thioureas) or an imino-group (guanidines)—have in common a number of distinctive pharmacological properties^1–4. Thus representative members of each series have been shown to raise the blood pressure of anæsthetized animals and to enhance the pressor effect of adrenaline by mechanisms which are either partly or wholly peripheral. The increase in tonus produced in different smooth muscle preparations is probably the result of a direct action on the muscle itself^2,3,4.