Selective blockade of alpha 1-adrenoceptors of porcine vascular smooth muscle cells by bunazosin.

The characteristics of bunazosin binding to alpha-adrenoceptors in the porcine aortic membranes were investigated using [3H]prazosin and [3H]yohimbine binding assays to identify alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors, respectively. The extent of the inhibition (Ki values) of [3H]prazosin binding to alpha 1-adrenoceptors induced by bunazosin was 0.29 nmol/l and about the same as that induced by prazosin (Ki = 0.10 nmol/l). The Ki value of bunazosin inhibition of [3H]yohimbine binding to alpha 2-adrenoceptors was 350 nmol/l. There was over a 1000-fold difference in Ki value for bunazosin between alpha 1-and alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Thus, bunazosin is a highly alpha 1 selective agent in vascular smooth muscle.