The role of beta- and alpha-adrenoceptors in the regulation of the stages of the sleep-waking cycle in the cat.

The effects of beta-adrenergic drugs alone and in combination with alpha-adrenergic drugs on the stages of the sleep-waking cycle were studied in adult cats. Polygraphic sleep recordings of 16 h showed that prenalterol (20 and 40 mg/kg i.p.), a beta 1-adrenoceptor-stimulating drug increased paradoxical sleep (PS) in a dose-related manner during 4-12 h. Salbutamol (40 mg/kg), a beta 2-adrenoceptor-stimulating drug, decreased PS during the first 4 h. Metoprolol (10 and 50 mg/kg), a relatively selective beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking drug, increased drowsy waking during the first 4 h. The larger dose also tended to decrease PS. Already at the lower dose metoprolol partially antagonized the PS increase produced by prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking drug. Propranolol (5 mg/kg), a beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor blocking drug, which alone decreases PS, antagonized the PS increase induced by phentolamine, an alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor blocking drug. Atenolol (5 mg/kg), a poorly lipid-soluble beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug, failed to counteract phentolamine in increasing PS. Metoprolol (10 and 50 mg/kg) and propranolol (5 mg/kg) clearly potentiated the increase in drowsy waking and decrease in deep slow wave sleep and PS induced by clonidine (0.01 mg/kg), an alpha 2-adrenoceptor-stimulating drug. The results support the involvement of beta-adrenoceptors in the regulation of the sleep-waking cycle. A high level of beta-adrenergic activity may facilitate the production of PS. A low level of beta-adrenergic activity, especially in combination with a high level of alpha 2-adrenergic activity, may facilitate the production of drowsy waking. Central alpha 1- and beta 1-adrenoceptors may mediate opposite functions in the regulation of PS.