ABSTRACT
Pupillary dilation and nictitating membrane (NM) contraction were elicited by pharmacological activation of alpha-adrenoceptors in vivo in anesthetized cats. A constant intravenous infusion of the alpha1-adrenoceptor selective agonist phenylephrine (150 μg/min) was administered to produce a near maximal activation of both organs. Steady-state responses were attained about 15 minutes after starting the phenylephrine infusion. Administration of the alpha1-adrenoceptor selective antagonist prazosin produced a dose-dependent blockade of NM contractions without altering phenylephrine-induced mydriasis when given as pretreatment (1.0 mg/kg i.v.) or post-treatment (0.01-1.0 mg/kg i.V.). In contrast, post-treatment with the alpha1-adrenoceptor selective antagonist WB-4101 (0.1-1.0 mg/kg i.v.) or pretreatment with phenoxybenzamine (3.0 mg/kg i.v) blocked both the NM and pupillary responses. These results suggest that the in vivo pupillary response to phenylephrine is mediated by an atypical alpha-adrenoceptor that cannot be readily classified as an alphas1- or alpha2-adrenoceptor. In contrast, the alpha-adrenoceptors of the NM appear to be of the classical alpha1 subtype.
