Cardiovascular and renal effects of buspirone in several animal models

Abstract

1. 1. Intravenous administration (0.3 or 3 mg/kg) of buspirone to anesthetized rats elicited a transient pressor response (14 ± 2 mmHg) and sustained bradycardia. 2. 2. However, oral administration (30 mg/kg) reduced the blood pressure and heart rate of conscious normotensive (−14 ± 4 mmHg) and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats (−22 ± 5 mmHg). 3. 3. Buspirone (3–100 mg/kg, p.o.) elicited increases in urinary volume and electrolyte excretion of conscious normotensive rats and decreased these parameters in conscious mice. 4. 4. Buspirone was observed to possess α 1-adrenoceptor agonist activity in ganglion-blocked anesthetized rats. 5. 5. Buspirone (0.3–3 mg/kg, i.v.) elicited transient elevations in the blood pressure of open-chest anesthetized dogs. 6. 6. There was a sustained increase in total peripheral resistance and a decrease in aortic blood flow, heart rate, right ventricular contractile force and left ventricular dp dt max. 7. 7. Intravenous and oral administration to anesthetized and conscious dogs elevated urinary volume and electrolyte excretion. 8. 8. However, the doses used to elicit the observed alterations in hemodynamic/renal function are considerably greater than those which produce anxiolytic effects. 9. 9. Thus, it is doubtful that anxiolytic doses of buspirone will produce cardiovascular alterations in patients.