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Antagonism of Bretylium by Sympathomimetic Amines

Nature volume 195, pages 1212–1213 (1962)Cite this article

Abstract

BRETYLIUM, an antihypertensive agent, inhibits the function of the adrenergic nerves without antagonizing the actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine1. It appears that bretylium blocks the terminal portion of the post-ganglionic sympathetic fibre by preventing the release of the neurohumoral agent. Bretylium should then block the effects of certain agents which cause the release of the transmitter substance from the terminals of the sympathetic post-ganglionic fibres. According to Burn and Rand2, such sympathomimetic amines as amphetamine, ephedrine, tyramine and phenylethylamine elicit their action by releasing the neuro-humoral agent from the terminals of the nerve fibres. However, Hukovic3 and Azarnoff and Burn4 have reported that the actions of tyramine are potentiated in isolated atrial preparations after pretreatment with bretylium.

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References

  1. Boura, A. L. A., and Green, A. F., Brit. J. Pharmacol., 14, 536 (1959).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, 5

    C. MATSUMOTO & A. HORITA

Authors
  1. C. MATSUMOTO
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  2. A. HORITA
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MATSUMOTO, C., HORITA, A. Antagonism of Bretylium by Sympathomimetic Amines. Nature 195, 1212–1213 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/1951212a0

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