Central cardiovascular effects of phentolamine in chloralose-anesthetized cats

Phentolamine (50, 100 and 200 microng/min for 30 min) perfused through the cerebroven system of chloralose-anesthetized cats produced dose-related reductions in tricular blood pressure. Evidence is presented which suggests that this hypotensive activity was due to an interaction at central nervous system sites and was not attributable to escape of the compound from the brain. Centrally administered phentolamine was more effective in lowering blood pressure than the i.v. infusion of phentolamine at a dose (25 microng/kg/min for 30 min) which markedly antagonized peripheral alpha-adrenoceptors. In addition, central phentolamine induced bradycardia in contrast to the tachycardia which accompanied i.v. administration. By limiting the perfusion of phentolamine to selected portions of the cerebrospinal fluid spaces a major site of action responsible for the hypotensive activity was located outside the ventricles in an area accessible from the subarachnoid spaces. A second, less important site, anterior to the midbrain adjacent to the ventricular system apparently contributed to the hypotension. Phentolamine, introduced centrally, also impaired reflexogenic bradycardia elicited by pressor doses of norepinephrine. Both the sympathetic withdrawal and the vagal activation which account for this reflex seemed to be antagonized by phentolamine.