Prostaglandin E1 action on sinus pacemaker and adenylyl cyclase in kitten myocardium.

Abstract

A QUANTUM mechanical analysis of Kier et al.1,2 indicates that the amine group of the catecholamine isoprenaline may not be essential to produce pharmacological effects mediated through adrenergic β receptors. Based on this and on conformational similarities between the ring, β-hydroxyl group and alkyl areas of N-n-propylnoradrenaline and prostaglandin (PG) E1, these authors predicted that PGE1 should be able to interact positively with adrenergic β receptors. Isolated tissues from kitten heart are appropriate systems to investigate effects of drugs which are β-receptor dependent and we tested the predictions of Kier et al. by investigating if PGE1 produced positive inotropic and chronotropic effects and whether these effects are transmitted through the adrenergic β receptors.