Modulation of noradrenaline release via activation of presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors in rabbits with adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy.

We investigated the role of beta-adrenoceptors at postganglionic sympathetic nerve endings in noradrenaline release in rabbits with cardiomyopathic congestive heart failure produced by adriamycin (1 mg/kg, I.V., twice a week for 8 weeks). Plasma noradrenaline levels were measured before, 30 min after, and 60 min after the start of continuous intravenous administration of adrenaline (0.06 micrograms/kg/min) in adriamycin-treated and vehicle-treated rabbits in anesthetized condition and pithed condition with electrically stimulated sympathetic outflow (3 Hz, 1 ms square wave pulse, 90 V). In both the anesthetized and pithed conditions, adrenaline increased plasma noradrenaline levels in vehicle-treated rabbits. However, in the adriamycin-treated rabbits, adrenaline had no effect on the plasma noradrenaline level. Pretreatment with propranolol (0.2 mg/kg, bolus I.V. + 0.1 mg/kg/hr, continuous infusion) almost completely abolished the rise in plasma noradrenaline associated with adrenaline infusion in vehicle-treated rabbits. These results suggest that in rabbits with adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy, the noradrenaline release from the sympathetic nerve endings via the activation of presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors is reduced. This might be due to down-regulation of presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors caused by the elevated plasma noradrenaline due to cardiac failure. However, other possibilities such as reduced affinity or impaired signal transduction cannot be excluded.