Chronotropic Effect Of Norepinephrine Research Articles

Possible involvement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate-independent mechanism in the positive chronotropic effect of norepinephrine in the isolated guinea pig right atrium.

Although both positive chronotropic and inotropic effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation are thought to be mediated by cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate, phosphodiesterase III inhibitors such as amrinone and milrinone potentiate the positive inotropic effect of catecholamines with minimum influence on the heart rate in clinical setting. The aim of the current study was to compare the positive chronotropic effect of norepinephrine with that of forskolin to elucidate whether cyclic adenosine monophosphate is relevant to the chronotropic effect of norepinephrine. Concentration-response curves for the positive chronotropic effects of norepinephrine and forskolin on the spontaneously beating right atria of guinea pigs were determined in the absence and presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors or ion channel inhibitors. In some experiments, the left atria driven electrically were used to determine the positive inotropic effect of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine and forskolin increased the beating rate in a concentration-dependent manner. The positive chronotropic effect of forskolin was potentiated by amrinone and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, whereas the positive chronotropic effect of norepinephrine was not potentiated by the phosphodiesterase inhibitors. In contrast, the positive inotropic effect of norepinephrine was potentiated by amrinone. The hyperpolarization-activated inward current inhibitor cesium chloride and L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ current inhibitor verapamil suppressed the chronotropic effect of norepinephrine, whereas these inhibitors did not affect the chronotropic effect of forskolin. Norepinephrine increases the spontaneously beating rate by a different mechanism from that of forskolin, suggesting that cyclic adenosine monophosphate is causally unrelated to the positive chronotropic effect of norepinephrine in the guinea pig heart.

Stress-induced subsensitivity to catecholamines depends on the estrous cycle

In this article we compare how sensitivity to the chronotropic effect of noradrenaline and adrenaline of right atria isolated from female rats is modified after repeated swimming or foot-shock stress, under the influence of the estrous cycle. Right atria from stressed female rats sacrificed at diestrus were subsensitive to both catecholamines, irrespective of the stressor agent. However, although subsensitivity to noradrenaline was of similar intensity, subsensitivity to adrenaline was more pronounced in right atria from foot shock stressed rats as opposed to swimming-stressed rats. Identical stress protocols did not induce any alteration in atrial sensitivity to catecholamines when the stressed female rats were sacrificed at estrus. We conclude that the stress reaction concerning the mediation of cardiac chronotropism by catecholamines is related to the severity of the stressor agent and is strongly influenced by the estrous cycle.

Characterization of α1-adrenoceptors which mediate chronotropy in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes

1. In the present study, we investigated the effect of culture on α 1-adrenoceptors that mediate chronotropy and on α 1-adrenergic signal transduction in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. 2. The spontaneous beating rate of neonatal rat myocytes after 3 or 7 days in culture was 37.4 ± 4.2 or 102.0 ± 4.3 beats min −, respectively. The α 1-adrenoceptor-mediated chronotropic effect of norepinephrine was positive at day 3 of culture. In contrast to day 3 of culture, the neonatal myocytes exhibited a negative chronotropic response to norepinephrine on day 7 of culture. Both of these effects of norepinephrine were completely abolished by prazosin. 3. The affinity ( K d) and/or density ( B max) of α 1-adrenoceptors labeled with [ 3H]prazosin in membranes from cultured myocytes were not significantly different between day 3 and day 7 of culture. 4. The expression of G s, G i, G q and G o, α-subunits in membranes from cultured myocytes was found to be significantly increased with the passage of culture time by immunoblot analysis. In contrast, no significant differences in G β-subunit expression were observed between day 3 and day 7 of culture. 5. Norepinephrine-stimulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production by radio-binding protein in neonatal myocytes after 7 days of culture was significantly higher than that of the day 3 counterpart. 6. No significant changes in phospholipid and cholesterol contents in membranes from neonatal myocytes were observed with longer culture times. 7. These results suggest that changes in the responsiveness to α 1-adrenergic stimulation from positive to negative chronotropy during culture of cardiac myocytes are mediated, at least in part, by functional alterations in the α 1-adrenergic signal transduction systems, including both G-protein expression and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production.

Effects of Volatile Anesthetics on Response to Norepinephrine and Acetylcholine in Guinea Pig Atria

The in vitro chronotropic and inotropic effects of norepinephrine and acetylcholine in isolated right and left guinea pig atria were examined in the absence and presence of halothane, isoflurane, and enflurane (0.6 and 1.2 MAC). All three anesthetics elicited dose-dependent reductions in contractile force and spontaneous pacemaker activity. The maximal developed tension observed in the presence of norepinephrine was not altered by the anesthetics and corresponding ED50 values increased only in the presence of 1.2 MAC halothane and 1.2 MAC isoflurane. The anesthetics did not affect (a) the maximal positive chronotropic effect of norepinephrine, (b) the ED50 values for its positive chronotropic effect, and (c) acetylcholine-induced negative inotropic and chronotropic actions and did not induce arrhythmic activity even in the presence of the maximally effective neurotransmitter concentrations. These findings indicate that in isolated guinea pig atria volatile anesthetics, in concentrations up to 1.2 MAC, do not alter the inotropic and chronotropic effects of norepinephrine or acetylcholine and do not induce arrhythmogenic action in the presence of the neurotransmitters. These data suggest that altered atrial responsiveness to adrenergic or muscarinic stimulation does not contribute to the development of anesthetic-induced cardiac arrhythmias.

Fosinopril, a Phosphinic Acid Inhibitor of Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme: In Vitro and Preclinical In Vivo Pharmacology

Fosinopril is the first member of a new chemical class of angiotensin I (AI) converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, the phosphinic acids. In vitro, SQ 27,519, the active moiety of the prodrug fosinopril, was a more potent inhibitor of purified rabbit lung ACE- (IC50 = 11 vs. 23 nM) and bradykinin-induced contractions of guinea pig ileum than captopril. In vivo, SQ 27,519 was equipotent to captopril as an inhibitor of an AI pressor response after intravenous (i.v.) administration to conscious rats and monkeys but appeared to be less potent in conscious dogs. After oral administration, fosinopril again was equipotent to captopril as an inhibitor of an AI pressor response in rats and monkeys and slightly less potent in dogs. However, both SQ 27,519 (i.v. studies) and fosinopril (oral studies) had a longer effect than captopril in all three species. When fosinopril was administered orally for 5 days, its effects on an AI pressor response were the same on days 1 and 5, suggesting lack of tolerance to the compound. The ACE inhibitory effect of captopril, but not fosinopril, was prolonged in conscious rats with glycerol-induced acute renal failure, suggesting that fosinopril is excreted by an extrarenal route. Finally, fosinopril had no effect on the pressor or chronotropic effects of norepinephrine (NE) or 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperinium (DMPP) or electrical stimulation of the sympathetic ganglia of pithed rats. Fosinopril attenuated the pressor, but not the chronotropic effects of tyramine. We conclude that fosinopril is a potent and long-lasting inhibitor of ACE in conscious animal models that does not impair adrenergic function or reflexes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of the Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Enoximone on the Autonomic Innervation of the Isolated Heart

Enoximone is a selective inhibitor of a low Km, cyclic AMP-specific type of phosphodiesterase (PDE III). In guinea pig and chicken atria, enoximone (0.1-100 mumol/L) caused a weak increase in the force of contraction. The heart rate was slightly enhanced or was unchanged (chicken). Enoximone (30 mumol/L) also failed to shift the concentration-response curves for the positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of norepinephrine in guinea pig atria. Under almost the same conditions, enoximone and the nonselective PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) markedly potentiated the forskolin-induced mobilization of choline from phospholipids. The concentrations of IBMX (100 mumol/L) and of enoximone (50 mumol/L) used were equieffective and did not enhance choline mobilization by themselves. Cardioinhibition caused by acetylcholine was unaffected by enoximone. In perfused guinea pig hearts, the release of [3H]norepinephrine evoked by field stimulation (5 Hz) was increased by 50 mumol/L enoximone both in the absence and presence of cocaine plus corticosterone. In contrast, enoximone failed to alter the release of acetylcholine in chicken hearts at rest and during field stimulation (5 Hz), which directly depolarizes the intrinsic post-ganglionic nerves. Similar results were obtained in guinea pig hearts using [3H]acetylcholine. In contrast, when the release of labeled or unlabeled acetylcholine was evoked by (preganglionic) vagal stimulation, enoximone (30 and 50 mumol/L) and IBMX (50 mumol/L) reduced the release in both species. Taken together, enoximone and IBMX apparently reduced ganglionic transmission. The results further indicate functional compartmentalization of PDE III in guinea pig myocardial cells. PDE III appears to be involved in the regulation of myocardial choline-phospholipid hydrolysis and of norepinephrine release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The roles of α- and β-adrenoceptors in the chronotropic responses to norepinephrine in carp heart ( Cyprinus carpio)

1. The chronotropic effect of norepinephrine was studied in isolated spontaneously beating atrial preparations of carp ( Cyrpinus carpio) heart. 2. Norepinephrine, 0.1 μM, caused a positive chronotropic effect, while at 1 μM it caused either a positive or a negative chronotropic effect. The positive chronotropic effect, observed in 13 preparations, was potentiated by phentolamine and almost completely blocked by propranolol. 3. The negative chronotropic effect observed in the other 5 preparations was greater in the presence of propranolol, reduced by phentolamine and not affected by atropine. 4. These results indicate that α- and β-adrenoceptors may coexist, mediating the negative and positive chronotropic effects, respectively, in isolated atrial preparations of carp heart.

Characterization of vinblastine-induced supersensitivity in the rat.

A single dose of vinblastine (3 mg/kg, i.v.) in the rat produced a long lasting depletion of endogenous (-)noradrenaline (NA) in atria as well as in vasa deferentia, the depletion being greater in atria than in vasa deferentia. The maximum depletion of NA in atria occurred between 60 and 90 h after vinblastine, while in vasa deferentia the maximum depletion was 35%, 120 h after vinblastine. The 30 min in vitro uptake of (-)-(3H) NA in atria was inhibited between 78 and 83% at 30, 60 and 120 h after vinblastine. In vasa deferentia the maximum inhibition of 25% was seen 15 h after vinblastine, however the NA uptake had returned to control level between 60 and 120 h after vinblastine. The effect of vinblastine pretreatment on the sensitivity of atria to NA and (-)isoprenaline(ISOP), and of vasa deferentia to NA, (-)phenylephrine (PHE), and methoxamine (ME) was evaluated. It was found that atria became highly sensitive to the (+) chronotropic effect of NA without significant change in sensitivity to ISOP. The sensitivity of vas deferens to NA and PHE was moderately increased without significantly affecting the sensitivity to ME. The magnitude of the supersensitivity was expressed in terms of the ratio of the geometric mean ED50 of an agonist in control tissue to that obtained in the same tissue from treated animals. The sensitivity of atria to NA increased 1.5, 3.9, 7.8, and 6.7 fold, 15, 30, 60 and 120 h after vinblastine, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Postvagal potentiation of the chronotropic effect of norepinephrine.

Following termination of vagal stimulation, heart rate increases above control (postvagal tachycardia). This phenomenon has been attributed to vagally mediated release of norepinephrine in the sinus node region, although other contributory factors may be important. The possibility that, during the postvagal period, the chronotropic efficacy of norepinephrine is enhanced was investigated. Mongrel dogs (N = 6) were pretreated with reserpine in order to minimize postvagal tachycardia and hence allow reliable detection of enhanced responsiveness to norepinephrine. The dogs were then anesthetized with chloralose, autonomically decentralized, and instrumented to record electrocardiogram, aortic blood pressure, and electrograms from right atrium and right ventricle. Thirty-, forty-, or sixty-second infusions of norepinephrine were administered via the sinus node artery. The mean cycle length decrease produced by norepinephrine alone was 95 msec (which corresponds to a heart rate increase of + 19.6 bpm). After a 30-sec period of vagal stimulation, norepinephrine infusions produced a cycle length decrease of 139 msec (+32.5 bpm). These results are significant at the P less than 0.05 level. It is concluded that norepinephrine infusions produce a significantly greater magnitude of tachycardia when administered postvagally. It is proposed that this postvagal potentiation of the chronotropic effect of norepinephrine may contribute to postvagal tachycardia. Indeed, there may be a synergistic relationship between this phenomenon and vagally mediated release of norepinephrine in the mediation of postvagal tachycardia.

Capsaicin-induced stimulation of the guinea-pig atrium. Involvement of a novel sensory transmitter or a direct action on myocytes?

The mechanism underlying the positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of capsaicin were investigated using the spontaneously beating guinea-pig atrium in vitro. Capsaicin induced a long-lasting stimulatory effect (threshold dose 10(-9) M). Tetrodotoxin, phentolamine, 6-OHDA, mepyramine plus cimetidine, methysergide-, indomethacin-, somatostatin- or morphine pretreatment and local treatment with capsaicin on the vagal nerves did not reduce the capsaicin response, while it was abolished up to 1 month after systemic capsaicin pretreatment. The capsaicin response was subject to a rapid tachyphylaxis. During capsaicin tachyphylaxis, the positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of noradrenaline, serotonin and histamine were unchanged. Various neuropeptides were investigated with regard to cardiac activity. Physalaemin, eledoisin and somatostatin had negative inotropic and chronotropic effects. Substance P, bombesin, kassinin, CCK-8 or PHI (up to 10(-6)M of each) did not cause any detectable response on the guinea-pig auricle, while the substance P antagonist [D-Arg, D-Pro, D-Trp, Leu]SP induced a long-lasting stimulation of heart activity, VIP also stimulated the heart. Various adenyl compounds were also tested. Adenosine, AMP, ADP, ATP and beta-, gamma-methylene ATP had negative chronotropic and inotropic effects, while alpha-, beta-methylene ATP induced a stimulatory response. During alpha-, beta-methylene ATP tachyphylaxis, the auricles still responded to capsaicin. The inhibitory effects of adenosine and ATP analogues were antagonized by theophylline and 8-p-sulfophenyl theophylline. Capsaicin induced a small release of labelled nucleotides from 3(H)-adenine-prelabelled atria from control, but not from capsaicin-pretreated animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute effects of amiodarone in the isolated dog heart.

Direct injection of amiodarone (10-1000 micrograms) into the sinus node artery of the isolated blood-perfused dog atrium produced dose-dependent negative inotropic and chronotropic responses that were unaffected by atropine. Intraarterial amiodarone also had a negative inotropic action on isolated left ventricular muscle preparations electrically paced at 1.5 to 2.0 Hz. A continuous infusion of 100 micrograms/min of amiodarone significantly suppressed the positive chronotropic effect of norepinephrine whether expressed in percent change or in absolute values; its positive inotropic effect expressed in percent change was not suppressed but rather enhanced by amiodarone. Calcium chloride induced positive chronotropic and inotropic effects expressed in percent change were, respectively, slightly suppressed and enhanced by amiodarone. Intravenous injection of amiodarone (5 mg/kg) decreased the heart rate and blood pressure of the support dog and produced a negative inotropic response in the isolated left ventricular muscle preparation perfused with arterial blood from the support dog. These results suggest first, that amiodarone has direct negative inotropic and chronotropic effects that are not mediated by cholinergic mechanisms and second, that it has a depressive action on norepinephrine and calcium-induced positive chronotropic effects and an enhancing action on their positive inotropic effects.

The influence of drugs on the overflow of noradrenaline and the identification of receptors in guinea-pig atria.

1 Salbutamol (1.0 microM) and isoprenaline (1.2 nM) significantly increased the fractional release of tritiated noradrenaline from driven left atria but phentolamine (10 microM) failed to do so. Butoxamine (4.0 microM) blocked the increase in overflow produced by isoprenaline. Isoprenaline (1.2 nM), phentolamine (10.0 microM) and salbutamol (1.0 microM) failed to increase the overflow of tritiated noradrenaline from spontaneously beating atria. 2 Spontaneously beating atria were therefore used to identify the receptors mediating chronotropism and inotropism. 3 There was no clear relationship between inotropism and chronotropism. 4 The inotropic effects of both dobutamine (0.04-4.0 microM) and isoprenaline (0.11-9.0 nM) were inhibited by practolol (4.0 microM) and by butoxamine (4.0 microM). The chronotropic effects were inhibited only by practolol (4.0 microM). 5 Both inotropic and chronotropic effects of noradrenaline (3.0-200 nM) were antagonized by practolol (4.0 microM), but not by butoxamine (4.0 microM). Thus both functions appeared to be mediated by beta 1-adrenoceptors when noradrenaline was the agonist. 6 Inotropic responses to salbutamol (0.45-7.5 microM) were inhibited by both practolol (4.0 microM) and by butoxamine (4.0 microM), but chronotropic responses were antagonized only by butoxamine (4.0 microM), Thus salbutamol acts on both beta 1-and beta 2-adrenoceptors to produce an inotropic response but only on beta 2-adrenoceptors to produce its chronotropic response. 7 It is concluded that both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors can mediate chronotropism and inotropism in guinea-pig isolated atria. Determination of the postsynaptic effects of drugs should be carried out on spontaneously beating rather than driven atria to obviate modification of the responses by noradrenaline release from sympathetic neurons.

Altered inotropic and chronotropic effects of noradrenaline on isolated rat atria exposed to chagasic sera. Influences of cocaine, normetanephrine and U-0521 (3'-4'-dihydroxy-2-methyl propiophenone.

The effects of chagasic sera containing an antibody (EVI antibody), which reacts with the plasma membrane of striated muscle fibres and endothelial cells, on the inotropic and chronotropic influences of noradrenaline upon isolated rat atria suspended in different media, were explored. Also explored were the action of cocaine, normetanephrine and U-0521 (3′-4′-dihydroxy-2- methyl propiophenone) on the atrial effects of the agonist in preparations immersed in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate, alone and with the addition of normal human sera or EVI positive human chagasic sera (EVI(+)S). The positive inotropic action of a single dose of noradrenaline (3.0 x 10−7 mol·litre−1) was significantly smaller in spontaneously beating auricles exposed to the EVI(+)S. Cumulative dose-response curves for the agonist showed depression and reduced slope suggesting that EVI(+)S may nihilate the effect of the amine by means of a noncompetitive-like mechanism. A similar diminished reactivity towards noradrenaline was found regarding atrial contractile rate. Incubation in a solution with U-0521 enhanced the maximal augmentation of atrial isometric tension evoked by the amine in the three media whereas cocaine failed to elicit significant changes. However, normal human sera not only restored but actually potentiated the inotropic influence of noradrenaline although only in auricles bathed with a solution containing EVI(+)S. None of these three agents altered the reduced chronotropic effect of the agonist exposed to the EVI antibody. Contractile influences on atria paced at single fixed rates were similar to those observed in spontaneously beating preparations. The experimental findings suggest that: a) at the contractile frequencies in the present studies neuronal uptake is neither an important mechanism for terminating the contractile effect of exogenously added noradrenaline, nor a factor involved in the altered action of the agonist in the presence of EVI(+)S; and b) the importance of extraneuronal uptake of noradrenaline became clear after the incubation in a media containing EVI(+)S. It is, therefore plausible to suggest that the EVI antibody might influence the contractile effect of the agonist through a reversible enhancement of extraneuronal uptake. This would in turn modify the interaction between the amine and adrenoceptive sites needed for the full positive inotropic effectiveness of noradrenaline. The possible significance of these findings in the alterations observed in chronic Chagas heart disease is discussed.

A POSSIBLE MODE OF CARDIOVASCULAR ACTIONS OF DOPAMINE IN DOGS

AbstractA possible mode of cardiovascular actions of dopamine was studied using ephedrine. In the dog pretreated with repeated administrations of ephedrine (total dose, 40 or 80 mg/kg, i.v.) or with combined administrations of ephedrine (total dose, 90 mg/ kg, s.c. and i.v.) and reserpine (2 mg/kg, s.c, 24 hr previously), pressor responses to dopamine were eliminated and reversed to depressor responses whereas depressor responses to dopamine were potentiated. Positive chronotropic effects of dopamine were almost eliminated. Pressor and positive chronotropic effects of tyramine were almost abolished. Sympathomimetic effect of noradrenaline and adrenaline were potentiated while those of isoprenaline were inhibited. In the heart-lung preparation of ephedrine-treated dogs (total dose, 40 mg/kg, i.v.), cardiac stimulating effects of dopamine and tyramine were strongly depressed, and those of noradrenaline, adrenaline and isoprenaline were reduced to some extent. In the open-chest dogs, after pretreatment with cocaine (4 mg/kg, i.v.), pressor, positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of noradrenaline were potentiated whilst those of tyramine were inhibited. Those of dopamine were not visibly altered, but depressor, negative chronotropic and inotropic effects of dopamine appeared at small doses. In the ephedrine-pretreated dogs, these sympathomimetic effects of dopamine and tyramine after cocaine were strongly depressed and those of noradrenaline were inhibited to a certain degree. The results obtained with ephedrine suggest that dopamine differs from other catecholamines and tyramine in the mode of cardiovascular actions.

Effects of dopamine on sinus rate and ventricular contractile force of the dog heart in vitro and in vivo.

1 Experiments were carried out on dog isolated papillary muscle and sinus node preparations perfused with arterial blood from a donor dog. The chronotropic and inotropic effects of dopamine were analysed by using reserpine, desmethylimipramine (DMI), cocaine and phenoxybenzamine, and the relative chronotropic and inotropic effects defined, the results being compared with those for noradrenaline (NA). 2 The effects of dopamine administered intra-arterially into the isolated preparations were reduced by pretreatment of animals with reserpine both in the papillary muscle and sinus node. The chronotropic effects, however, were affected less by pretreatment with reserpine than were the inotropic effects. 3 Desmethylimipramine (DMI) reduced the inotropic and chronotropic effects of dopamine, and enhanced the effects of NA and nerve stimulation; the chronotropic effects of the amines were less affected than the inotropic effects. 4 Cocaine enhanced considerably the inotropic and chronotropic effects of NA, and decreased the inotropic but not the chronotropic effect of dopamine. 5 Phenoxybenzamine enhanced the inotropic effects of dopamine, NA and nerve stimulation, but did not affect the chronotropic effects of the amines. 6 When dopamine (1 to 300 mug/kg) was administered intravenously to the donor dog, it increased preferentially the contractile force of the ventricular myocardium with a comparatively small change of the sinus rate in the isolated preparations as well as in the heart in vivo. NA (0.1 to 10 mug/kg) caused effects similar to those of dopamine. The maximal inotropic responses to these catecholamines were reached with lower doses than the chronotropic ones. 7 It is concluded that both the positive inotropic and the positive chronotropic responses to dopamine are mediated partially by a direct and partially by an indirect stimulant effect on beta-adrenoceptors in the dog heart. The present results suggest that the difference in activity of dopamine and NA between the ventricular myocardium and the sinus node may be ascribed to the unequal innervation with adrenergic nerve fibres of the atrium and the ventricle (Furnival, Linden & Snow, 1971). The sinus node which is densely innervated by adrenergic nerve fibres may inactivate noradrenaline and dopamine more effectively than the ventricular myocardium through the uptake into the nerve and thereby be less sensitive to the exogenous catecholamines.

Measurement of the rate and velocity of movement by single heart cells in culture

A new method for the quantification of velocity of movement of single muscle cells in culture is described. The method involves television monitoring of microscope images and video analysis to yield data in chart form. Recorder printout is linearly related to distance of cell movement. Two new modifications of techniques for measuring the number of muscle cell movements are also described. These include television video analysis and a light-sensitive field effect transistor (Photo-fet). Application of both techniques to the measurement of contractions of single beating heart cells is shown, and the chronotropic effect of norepinephrine is monitored with increasing concentrations of the drug. Application of video analysis to the inotropic effect of the same drug also is studied, and quantitative data for velocity of contraction and relaxation are determined in microns per second.

Myocardial adenyl cyclase: activation by thyroid hormones and evidence for two adenyl cyclase systems.

The mechanism responsible for the hyperdynamic circulatory state in hyperthyroidism has not been defined. Although certain cardiac manifestations resemble those caused by excessive adrenergic stimulation, recent evidence suggests that thyroid hormone exerts an effect on the heart that is independent of the adrenergic system. Since the inotropic and chronotropic effects of norepinephrine appear to be mediated by activation of adenyl cyclase, the possibility that thyroxine and triiodothyronine are also capable of activating adenyl cyclase was examined in the particulate fraction of cat heart homogenates.L-thyroxine and L-triiodothyronine increased the conversion of adenosine triphosphate-(32)P (ATP-(32)P) to cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate-(32)P (3',5'-AMP-(32)P) by 60 and 45% respectively (P < 0.01). A variety of compounds structurally related to the thyroid hormones, but devoid of thyromimetic activity did not activate adenyl cyclase: these included 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine, L-thyronine, 3,5-diiodotyrosine, monoiodotyrosine, and tyrosine. D-thyroxine activated adenyl cyclase and half maximal activity was identical to that of the L-isomer. Although the beta adrenergic blocking agent propranolol abolished norepinephrine-induced activation of adenyl cyclase, it failed to alter activation caused by thyroxine. When maximal concentrations of L-thyroxine (5 x 10(-6) moles/liter) and norepinephrine (5 x 10(-5) moles/liter) were incubated together, an additive effect on cyclic 3',5'-AMP production resulted. THIS INVESTIGATION DEMONSTRATES: (a) thyroid hormone is capable of activating myocardial adenyl cyclase in vitro and (b) this effect is not mediated by the beta adrenergic receptor. Moreover, the additive effects of norepinephrine and thyroxine suggest that at least two separate adenyl cyclase systems are present in the heart, one responsive to norepinephrine, the other to thyroid hormone. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that the cardiac manifestations of the hyperthyroid state may, in part, be caused by the direct activation of myocardial adenyl cyclase by thyroid hormone.