Attenuation of Postganglionic Sympathetic Nerve Activity by L-Dopa

Abstract

In anesthetized dogs and cats, intravenous L-dopa reduced the increase in mean blood pressure in response to bilateral carotid occlusion by 77.5% (PPP<0.05) by L-dopa while the response to intra-arterial norepinephrine was unchanged. Thus, inhibition of postganglionic sympathetic nerve activity is a possible mechanism by which L-dopa impaired the carotid sinus reflex.