Effect of reserpine on the structure–activity relationships for the inhibition of noradrenaline uptake in adrenergic nerves in rat and rabbit ventricle by phenethylamines

Abstract

Ventricular tissue from the hearts of normal and reserpine-pretreated rats and rabbits were exposed to pargyline, tropolone, and hydrocortisone to inhibit monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.4), catechol-O-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.6), and extraneuronal uptake, respectively. To examine the structure–activity relationships for inhibition of noradrenaline uptake, the inhibition of the 10-min uptake of (−)-[³H]noradrenaline by sympathomimetic amines was determined and ID₅₀ values calculated. In reserpine-pretreated tissues, the most potent inhibitory agents studied were amines lacking phenolic hydroxyl groups (i.e., β-phenethylamine, (+)- and (−)-amphetamine). Addition of one or two phenolic hydroxyl groups, a β-hydroxyl group, or an N-methyl group generally decreased inhibitory potency, while α-methylation had little effect. Amines with large N-substitution and phenolic O-methyl groups were the least potent inhibitory agents. The stereoisomers of amphetamine, noradrenaline, and metaraminol did not differ in potency. However, the stereoisomers of ephedrine did, the order of potency being (−)-ephedrine > (±)-ephedrine > (+)-ψ-ephedrine > (−)-ψ-ephedrine. These structure–activity relationships are the same as those previously found for the acceleration of efflux of extragranular noradrenaline. Amines also released (−)-[³H]noradrenaline from reserpine-pretreated tissues. Results obtained using ventricles from nonreserpinized rats and rabbits showed two important differences. Firstly, sympathomimetic amines were much less potent releasers of (−)-[³H]noradrenaline from such tissues. Secondly, amines lacking phenolic hydroxyl groups were, on the average, five- to seven-fold less potent as inhibitors of (−)-[³H]-noradrenaline uptake. However, the inhibitory potencies of phenolethylamines and catecholamines were generally similar to those found in reserpine-pretreated tissues. These studies have demonstrated that reserpine pretreatment potentiates the inhibitory potency of phenethylamines and phenylethanolamines.