Cyclic 3'5'-adenosine monophosphate and central circulatory control in cats and dogs

1. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Db cAMP, 75-500 microgram/kg), injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain of the cat increased blood pressure, heart rate and splanchnic discharge rate. 2. ATP, but not AMP, induced similar changes; GMP in small doses increased blood pressure. 3. A number of drugs are known to activate adenylate cyclase-induced hypertension, tachycardia and increase splanchnic discharge rate. This was shown for TRH, tetracosactide and a new beta2-adrenoceptor stimulant, NAB 365. 4. Injection into the lateral ventricle of theophylline or Ro 7/2956, both inhibitors of phosphodiesterase, similarly increased blood pressure. 5. Histamine administered by the same route induced similar reactions; it is not known if this action was exerted by activation of H1- or H2-receptors. 6. Somatostatin, known to reduce cAMP levels, induced a small but significant decrease in blood pressure. Melanocyte stimulating hormone release inhibiting factor (MIF) and TSH were ineffective. 7. These results provide evidence for the possibility of a role for cAMP in the central regulation of blood pressure at suprabulbar levels.