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Procainamide inhibits sympathetic nerve activity in rabbits
M E Dibner-Dunlap1, M D Cohen, S N Yuih
1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.
The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Procainamide significantly reduces sympathetic nerve activity in rabbits, suggesting a mechanism for its anti-arrhythmic effects. This study investigated procainamide
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
Background:
- Ventricular arrhythmias are often linked to sympathetic nervous system overactivity.
- Procainamide is a known anti-arrhythmic drug, but its direct effects on the sympathetic nervous system are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of procainamide on sympathetic nerve activity.
- To determine if procainamide's effects on sympathetic nerves contribute to its therapeutic benefits for ventricular arrhythmias.
Main Methods:
- Experiments were conducted on sinoaortic and vagally denervated rabbits.
- Procainamide was administered via bolus and infusion, with measurements of renal and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity.
- Plasma concentrations of procainamide were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Procainamide caused dose-dependent reductions in renal sympathetic nerve activity (up to 57%).
- Procainamide also decreased lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (up to 41%).
- These effects were observed even after blocking ganglionic transmission with hexamethonium.
Conclusions:
- Procainamide inhibits both renal and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity.
- These inhibitory effects appear to be mediated centrally, acting on the brain or spinal cord.
- Procainamide's modulation of sympathetic nerve activity likely contributes to its efficacy in treating ventricular arrhythmias.