The modification of inotropic action of ouabain by 6-hydroxydopamine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine in dogs.

The action of ouabain on myocardial inotropism pretreated with 6-hydroxydopamine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine was studied. Inotropic action of ouabain was not changed by depletion of catecholamines in the brain, in which the central sympathetic neurons were destroyed by an intraventricular administration of 6-hydroxydopamine. Systemic administration of 6-hydroxydopamine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine reduced ventricular catecholamines to 5.3% and 20.8% of the control, respectively. Percent increase of contractility by ouabain after the pretreatment of 6-hydroxydopamine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine was reduced to 16.7% and 50.3% of the control, respectively. The results obtained suggest that catecholamines in the myocardium play some important role in producing cardiotonic action of cardiac glycosides. Brain catecholamines or the central sympathetic nervous system do not appear to participate in the exertion of the positive inotropic action of cardiac glycosides.