Cardiovascular effects of a new antihypertensive agent in several species.

The effects on blood pressure and heart rate of a new ergoline derivative, 2(R,S)-Cyano-3-(6-methylergolin-8 beta-yl)-propionamide (355/1057), were evaluated in different models of experimental hypertension as well as in normotensive rats, dogs and cats. Its interference with sympathetic neurotransmission was also studied in anaesthetized cats and dogs and in pithed rats. Dose-related hypotensive effects were found after single oral, intraduodenal and intravenous administration. In all the studied experimental models 355/1057 showed a prompt onset of action and a prolonged effect on blood pressure at low doses without substantially modifying heart rate. Some comparative results obtained with other commercially available antihypertensive agents are also reported. One month daily oral administration in SH-rats produced an antihypertensive effect persisting trough the entire experiment with no signs of tachyphylaxis. In anaesthetized dogs 355/1057 inhibited sthe pressor response elicited by bilateral carotid occlusion and in anaesthetized cats it reduced the response of the nictitating membrane elicited by electrical stimulation of both the pre- and post-ganglionic fibers but not by norepinephrine bolus injection.