Functional significance of alpha-adrenergic receptors in mature coronary collateral circulation of dogs.

There is little information on the functional significance of alpha-adrenergic receptors in the dog's coronary collateral circulation. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of infusion of either norepinephrine (NE) or B-HT 920 (BHT), an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, on vascular resistance of coronary collaterals in chloralose-anesthetized dogs 2-3 mo after placement of an Ameroid constrictor around the left circumflex coronary (LCX) artery. To accomplish this, the vagotomized left ventricle was autoperfused through the left main coronary ostium using a servo-controlled constant-pressure pump. Pressures of the left anterior descending (LAD) and peripheral LCX arteries were measured, and regional blood flow in LAD and LCX regions were determined with radioactive microspheres before and during NE infusion in the unblocked condition, following beta-adrenergic and beta + alpha 1-adrenergic blockade with the use of propranolol and prazosin, respectively. The same parameters were also measured before and during BHT infusion following beta-adrenergic and beta + alpha 2-adrenergic blockade with the use of propranolol and idazoxan, respectively. In the unblocked condition, NE reduced LAD, LCX, and collateral resistance by 43, 50, and 31%, respectively. After beta-adrenergic blockade, NE increased LAD resistance (29%) but did not alter LCX or collateral resistance. The increase in LAD resistance was abolished following alpha 1-adrenergic blockade. BHT increased vascular resistance in LAD, LCX, and collateral circulations by 35, 29, and 45%, respectively. Selective alpha 2-adrenergic blockade significantly attenuated the vasoconstrictor response to BHT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)