Differences in cardiovascular responses to peripherally administered GABA as influenced by basal conditions and type of anaesthesia.

The cardiovascular (blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac contractility) effects of i.v. gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were investigated in guinea-pigs anaesthetized with barbitone or urethane. GABA (0.1-10 mg kg-1) produced a transient 'depressive' effect on cardiovascular parameters which in barbitone-anaesthetized animals was followed by a transient 'excitatory' effect. Resting cardiovascular parameters were higher in urethane-as compared to barbitone-anaesthetized animals. Picrotoxin pretreatment (2 mg kg-1, i.v.) barely affected the cardiovascular changes produced by GABA in barbitone-anaesthetized animals. In picrotoxin pretreated animals anaesthetized with urethane, GABA produced an initial depression of cardiovascular parameters followed by an excitatory phase. Hexamethonium (20 mg kg-1, i.v.) suppressed or reduced markedly the GABA-induced cardiovascular changes both in barbitone- or urethane- anaesthetized animals. Reserpine pretreatment lowered resting cardiovascular parameters. In these animals, regardless of type of anaesthesia, the effects of i.v. GABA were of the 'excitatory' type only. Reserpine pretreated animals anaesthetized with barbitone were selected for further experiments. Various GABAA receptor agonists (homotaurine, muscimol, THIP, 5-aminovaleric acid) mimicked the 'excitatory' effect of GABA in reserpine pretreated animals anesthetized with barbitone and prevented the effects of subsequent GABA administration. On the other hand (+/-)-baclofen, a selective GABAB receptor agonist, had a slight depressant effect and did not prevent the 'excitatory' cardiovascular effects of GABA. Neither bicuculline nor picrotoxin pretreatment prevented the 'excitatory' cardiovascular effect of i.v. GABA in reserpine pretreated, guinea-pigs anaesthetized with barbitone. In adrenalectomized guinea-pigs or in preparations receiving i.v. phentolamine plus propranolol, GABA produced only a small 'depressant' effect on cardiovascular parameters. These findings demonstrate that GABA exerts a neuromodulatory effect on cardiovascular function via peripheral actions which is influenced by: type of anaesthesia resting values of cardiovascular parameters degree of activity of the sympathetic nervous system and catecholamine release from the adrenal medulla.