Influence of fatty acids on pressor responses to catecholamines.

Lauric, Myristic and Palmitic acids had no appreciable effect whereas Stearic, Oleic and Linoleic acids caused some reduction in dog blood pressure. Pressor responses to epinephrine and nor-epinephrine were potentiated whereas the depressor response to isoproterenol was reduced during the infusion of fatty acids in dogs. ACTH alone, which causes mobilization of free fatty acids had no appreciable effect on blood pressure responses to catecholamines, however, its administration followed by salicylate produced marked potentiation of the pressor responses to epinephrine and nor-epinephrine; the depressor response to isoproterenol was reduced.