α-Adrenoceptor Influence on Plasma Levels of Neuropeptide Y-Like Immunoreactivity and Catecholamines During Rest and Sympathoadrenal Activation in Humans

Abstract

Antecubital venous plasma neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) and catecholamines were analyzed in six healthy volunteers performing a graded bicycle exercise without medication and after acute administration of clonidine, phentolamine, and nifedipine. During the control exercise, plasma noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A) and NPY-LI increased to 17-, 7-, and 3-fold the resting values, respectively, at a maximal workload. Clonidine (300 .mu.g p.o.) reduced resting and exercising heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Plasma NA at rest decreased and NA, A, and NPY-LI were 40-60% lower during the exercise after clonidine compared to the control. Phentolamine (0.07 mg .times. kg-1 every 10 min i.v.) and nifedipine (20 mg p.o.) increased HR and reduced SBP during the exercise. Plasma NA at rest was elevated threefold and the exercise-induced increases in NA and A were also enhanced after phentolamine. Plasma NPY-LI at rest was unchanged by phentolamine, while it was increased five-fold, as compared to the control, at the highest workload. Nifedipine slightly enhanced plasma NA and NPY-LI but not A during exercise. It is suggested that NPY is released mainly at high levels of sympathetic activity and that blood-pressure-lowering drugs acting on .alpha. adrenoceptors actively influence the release of both NA and NPY-LI from sympathetic nerves in humans.