Modulation of noradrenergic transmission in the rabbit ear artery by dopamine.

1. The effects of dopamine on vasoconstrictor responses to field stimulation of sympathetic nerves and to exogenous noradrenaline were studied in the isolated ear artery of the rabbit. Responses to noradrenaline were unchanged at the start of the dopamine infusions but were enhanced as the infusions continued and also after cessation of the infustion. 2 Dopamine (0.5 muM) reduced the stimulation-induced efflux of tritium from segments of ear artery labelled with [3H]-noradrenaline. The reduction persisted during 65 min of dopamine infusion, after which time the vasoconstrictor responses had generally recovered to 93% of control level. On ceasing the infusion, the stimulation-induced efflux and the vasoconstrictor responses were enhanced. 3 Metoclopramide, haloperidol and ergometrine, each in a concentration of 0.2 muM, prevented the inhibitory effect of 0.5 muM dopamine on the stimulation-induced tritium release, but not the inhibitory effect of 0.5 muM noradrenaline. Phenoxybenzamine (0.2 and 1 muM) and phentolamine (1 muM) prevented the inhibitory effects of both noradrenaline and dopamine on the stimulation-induced efflux, and phentolamine (0.2 muM) prevented the inhibition of the stimulation-induced release by noradrenaline but only partially prevented the inhibitory effect of dopamine on the stimulation-induced efflux. 4 A possible role for dopamine in the modulation of noradrenergic transmission is suggested.