Flunarizine and alpha-adrenergic responses in isolated canine saphenous veins

Experiments were designed to determine how flunarizine affects contractions of cutaneous veins to alpha-adrenergic activation. Rings of canine saphenous vein were mounted at optimal length for isometric tension recording in organ chambers filled with physiological salt solution. At concentrations higher than those needed to inhibit KCl-induced contractions, flunarizine inhibited the contractile responses evoked by alpha 2-adrenergic agonists (B-HT 920, xylazine), partial (St-587) and full (cirazoline, phenylephrine) alpha 1-adrenergic agonists and the combined alpha 1-/alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, norepinephrine. The inhibitory effect of flunarizine against alpha 2-adrenergic responses was similar to that produced by other calcium-antagonists and results presumably from inhibition of the influx of extracellular calcium. The inhibitory effect of flunarizine against alpha 1-adrenergic responses was greater than expected and appears to result from competitive antagonism of alpha 1-adrenoceptors (pA2 = 5.79). Therefore, flunarizine can decrease adrenergic contractile responses by depressing the influx of extracellular calcium and by blocking postjunctional alpha 1-adrenoceptors.