Alpha-adrenoceptor influence on plasma levels of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and catecholamines during rest and sympathoadrenal activation in humans.

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 micrograms 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 X 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 acutely influence the release of both NA and NPY-LI from sympathetic nerves in humans.