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Alpha(1A)-adrenergic control of piloerection and palpebral fissure width in rats
Kazue Kikuchi-Utsumi1, Mami Ishizaka, Nobuko Matsumura
1Department of Pharmacology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
We determined the receptor subtypes of α1-adrenoceptor, which is involved in autonomic functions induced by methamphetamine (METH) in rats. An intraperitoneal injection of METH provoked the autonomic responses piloerection, eyelid retraction, and ejaculation. Pretreatment with prazosin, a nonselective α1-adrenoceptor antagonist, completely abolished the above METH-induced responses. Prazosin also provoked eyelid ptosis in saline controls. The effects of prazosin were mimicked only by a selective α1A-adrenoceptor antagonist, silodosin, not by selective α1B or α1D antagonists. These results suggest that α1A-adrenoceptor participates in the regulation of piloerection, palpebral fissure width, and ejaculation in rats.
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