Opposing central autonomic actions of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists on oculomotor tone

Electrical stimulation of the afferent sciatic nerve produces reflex mydriasis in anesthetized rats. The alpha 2-antagonist idazoxan (10-100 micrograms/kg i.v.) inhibited this reflex in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, the alpha 1-antagonist prazosin (30-300 micrograms/kg i.v.), produced a dose-related enhancement of the reflex. Single dose administration of the alpha 2-antagonists yohimbine (3.0 mg/kg i.v.), rauwolscine (3.0 mg/kg i.v.) and idazoxan (1.0 mg/kg) also blocked the reflex, whereas the alpha 1-antagonists phenoxybenzamine (3.0 mg/kg i.v.), corynanthine (1.0 mg/kg i.v.) and prazosin (1.0 mg/kg i.v.) potentiated this response. These studies demonstrate that alpha 2-antagonists block and alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists potentiate alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of oculomotor tone.