Inhibitory effect of angiotensin on the intestinal motility of the cat and its relation to sympathetic nervous system.

Abstract

(4 figures) It is reported by KHAIRALLAH and PAGE (1961) that angiotensin has a direct and indirect action on the isolated guinea-pig ileum. The indirect action of angiotensin is mainly mediated by cholinergic nerves since atropine and ganglion blocking drugs were abIe to block partialIy its contractile action. These results were confirmed by ROBERTSON and RUBIN (1962). Recently a number of papers have been published concerning the interaction of angiotensin with sympathetic nervous system. FELDBERG and LEWIS (1964, 1965) showed that angiotensin is a potent releaser of catecholamines from adrenal medulla. Beside this effect it has been also shown that angiotensin stimulates the superior cervical ganglion of the cat (LEWIS and REIT, 1964,1965, 1966; PANISSET ef al., 1966; TRENDELENBURG, 1966). Some recent investigations about the stimulating effect of angiotensin on the isolated vascuIar smooth muscle preparations suggest that part of its action is mediated through the release of catecholamines from tissues (DISTLER et al., 1965; SCHUMANN and GUTHER, 1967). On the other hand FELDBERG and LEWIS (1965) observed that large doses of angiotensin given intravenously produce a delayed contraction of the denervated nictitating membrane of the adrenalectomized cats. They referred this effect to a possible action of angiotensin on adrenergic nerve endings.