Further characterization of presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors in guinea-pig pulmonary arteries.

Presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors were further characterized in spiral strips of guinea-pig pulmonary arteries preloaded with [3H]norepinephrine. l-Metoprolol (3 X 10(-6) M) inhibited isoproterenol (3 X 10(-7) M)-induced increases in 3H efflux by transmural field stimulation, whereas the d-isomer produced no inhibition. However, IPS 339, H 35/25, butoxamine and metoprolol (3 X 10(-6) M) antagonized salbutamol (3 X 10(-7) M)-induced increases in the parameter, whereas acebutolol, bevantolol and practolol (3 X 10(-6) M) produced no antagonism. Presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors in guinea-pig pulmonary arteries appear to have characteristics similar to those postsynaptic classical beta-adrenoceptors.