Central sympathoinhibition and peripheral neuronal uptake blockade after desipramine in rabbits

Abstract

Peripheral- and central nervous system (CNS)-mediated effects of desipramine (Des) on sympathetic nerves and the contribution of α2-adrenoceptors to these effects were studied in conscious rabbits. Blood pressure, renal sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), and norepinephrine (NE) reuptake and spillover into plasma were measured before and after intracisternal (ic) or intravenous (iv) administration of Des. In other animals, NE spillover responses to iv Des were examined before and after α2-adrenoceptor blockade with iv idazoxan. Treatment with iv Des blocked neuronal reuptake and decreased renal SNA but did not alter blood pressure or NE spillover. Decreased NE release by sympathetic nerves aft..