ON THE HYPERTENSIVE ACTION OF TOLAZOLINE AND HYDERGINE

Abstract

The effects of tolazoline and Hydergine on blood pressure, cardiac contractility, and heart rate have been studied in dogs under pentobarbitone anesthesia. Whereas in the absence of reserpine, tolazoline had a pressor effect in two of four dogs, following reserpine it had a marked pressor action in each of eight dogs. The blood pressure rise was associated with positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects. Phenoxybenzamine abolished these effects of tolazoline. Hydergine had pressor and negative chronotropic effects in the absence of reserpine. Following reserpine these effects were associated with positive inotropic actions. Phenoxybenzamine reduced these effects of Hydergine. It is concluded that the pressor action of tolazoline is wholly due to adrenergic vasoconstriction, whereas that of Hydergine is only partly an adrenergic effect.