[Influence of hydrocortisone on the response to noradrenaline of segments of isolated coronary arteries in the presence of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent].

The effect of hydrocortisone on the noradrenaline-induces contraction, after propranolol, was studied in vitro. Contraction of response to noradrenaline were increased by hydrocortisone. We suggest that the hydrocortisone influence depends on inhibition of catecol-O-metiltransferase (COMT).