Vascular reactivity to methoxamine in conscious sinoaortic denervated rats.

Alterations in vascular alpha-adrenoceptor responsiveness following sinoaortic denervation was studied in conscious rats. The arterial hypertension observed in baroreceptor denervated rats decreased progressively during the 30 days of observation. A pressor hyperresponsiveness to methoxamine (10-80 micrograms/kg, iv), was observed 3 to 7 days after baroreceptor denervation followed by a gradual normalization of the vascular reactivity. The results indicate a possible participation of an enhanced alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstrictor component in the early phase of neurogenic hypertension.