Effect of methyldopa treatment on peripheral sympathetic nerve function in the dog

Administration of methyldopa (100 mg/kg, p.o. twice daily for 3 days) to mongrel dogs produced a significant decrease in the mean blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR). Chronotropic responses to cardioaccelerator nerve stimulation and vasoconstrictor responses to lumbar sympathetic nerve stimulation were significantly attenuated in the treated dogs. Pressor and chronotropic responses to bilateral carotid occlusion (BCO) and tyramine were also markedly reduced following treatment with methyldopa, which is consistent with the clinical findings that chronic methyldopa treatment in hypertensive patients impairs cardiovascular reflexes. Methylnorepinephrine (MNE) was significantly less potent than norepinephrine (NE) in producing an increase in MBP or hindleg perfusion pressure, while the chronotropic and inotropic potency of MNE was about equal to NE. These results indicate that treatment with methyldopa in the dog does indeed produce an impairment of peripheral sympathetic neuronal function to certain organs and this peripheral effect of the drug may be of importance in accounting for its antihypertensive action in the dog.