Epinephrine-induced decrease in repetitive extrasystole threshold is reversed by tyrosine in conscious dogs

Abstract

Previous studies indicate that availability of L-tyrosine, the precursor for catecholaminergic neurotransmitters, reduced psychological and physiological effects of stressful situations including hypotension, cold and behavioral stress. The current study examined the effect of L-tyrosine administration on cardiac vulnerability to arrhythmia induced by an infusion of epinephrine in conscious dogs. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure and cardiac electrophysiologic parameters, i.e., effective refractory period and repetitive extrasystole threshold, were measured during infusion of epinephrine (0.3 ug/kg/min × 30 min), before and after L-tyrosine (8 mg/kg iv bolus). Epinephrine administration significantly increased heart rate by 39% (p<0.05), and decreased repetitive extrasystole threshold by 33% (p<0.05). Mean arterial pressure and effective refractory period were unchanged. Following L-tyrosine, repetitive extrasystole threshold was restored to baseline levels. Tyrosine may thus ameliorate stress-induced increases in ventricular vulnerability to arrhythmias in conscious animals.