Abstract
INTRA-ARTERIAL infusions of small amounts of adrenaline cause a marked but transient increase in the flow of blood in the calf of the leg; this is followed by a return to the base-line or even by a decrease in flow of blood, although the infusion continues1. The biphasic effect of adrenaline may be explained by interaction with the different adrenergic receptors2, the primary vasodilatation being mediated by the β-receptors and the secondary vasoconstriction being brought about by action on the α-receptors. Supporting such an explanation is the observation that the decrease in flow of blood in the muscles of the fore-arm due to adrenaline can be abolished by an intra-arterial infusion of dibenyline which is known to inhibit the action of adrenaline on the α-receptors3. Proof of the existence of β-receptors in blood vessels of man has so far not been reported.
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EHRINGER, H., KONZETT, H. Analysis of the Vasodilator Effect of Adrenaline on the Skeletal Muscle Vessels of Man. Nature 194, 1184 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/1941184a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1941184a0
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