A response to isoprenaline unrelated to alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor agonism.

The hypothesis that beta-adrenoceptor agonism might explain a reported lack of competitive antagonism between alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists and agonists of the phenylethylamine class was tested in the electrically field stimulated ileum of the guinea-pig. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline, was used as the phenylethylamine and inhibition of 'twitch' response evoked by cholinergic stimulation was measured. In the presence of idazoxan (3 microM), to block inhibitory alpha 2-adrenoceptors, propranolol (0.1 to 5.0 microM) failed to act competitively toward isoprenaline. Isoprenaline responses totally resistant to inhibition by propranolol were obtained. As inhibitory alpha 1-adrenoceptors are absent from guinea-pig ileum, a recognition site distinct from the currently defined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors is postulated. Agonism by phenylethylamine based agonists at this site may explain their inability to act competitively with alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists.