Potent alpha-adrenoceptor action of soterenol on vascular and other smooth muscle

Treatment with soterenol (0.3-300 mug/kg, i.v.) increased the mean arterial blood pressure and decreased heart rate in rabbits. Soterenol caused a dose-dependent contraction of rabbit aorta and portal vein, guinea-pig vas deferens and cat nicitating membrane which was inhibited by phentolamine. Other beta-agonists such as isoproterenol, salbutamol and terbutaline did not exhibit similar effects. Soterenol had potent stimulant action on the alpha-receptor of the smooth muscle.