Peculiar Aspects in Influence of α1-Adrenoceptor Stimulation on Isolated Rat Heart

The study examined the effect of α1-adrenoceptor stimulation with methoxamine on chronotropic function of isolated heart perfused ex vivo according to Langendorff and cardiac chronotropy in vivo. Stimulation of α1-adrenoceptors in isolated heart induced gradually developing bradycardia, which progressed during several minutes. Similar stimulation in vivo produced a short-term bradycardia probably terminated by the compensatory influences in the whole organism. Comparison of the data obtained in both experimental paradigms during α1-adrenoceptor stimulation revealed unidirectional changes in cardiac chronotropy characterized with time-related peculiarities.