Beta3-adrenoceptor is involved in the inhibition of small intestinal motility due to restraint stress in rats.

We have reported that acute restraint stress inhibits small intestinal motility in rats. In order to clarify this inhibitory mechanism, we examined the effects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic antagonists on the inhibition of small intestinal motility induced by restraint stress. This inhibition underwent recovery by propranolol (beta1/beta2-antagonist) or SR59230A (beta3-antagonist), but not by atenolol (beta1-antagonist), ICI-118,551 (beta2-antagonist), prazosin (alpha1-antagonist) or yohimbine (alpha2-antagonist). These results suggest that beta3-adrenoceptors play an important role in the inhibition of small intestinal motility caused by restraint stress.