The effect of β blockade on the reaction of pressure and mesenteric flow to biogenic amines in normal and X-irradiated rats

A β-blocker, propranolol, was infused to control and irradiated rats on the 1st and 3rd day after 2-kR X-ray irradiation. Blood pressure and mesenteric blood flow were recorded during infusion of biogenic amines (noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine and histamine). After β-blockade, there was intensified increase in pressure and decrease in flow with increased overshoot after infusion of noradrenaline, no effect on the increase in pressure and flow after dopamine, but an enhanced increase in pressure and decrease in flow after serotonin. No effect on the decrease in pressure and flow was seen after acetylcholine, and a greater decrease in pressure and flow, after histamine. Irradiation altered the vascular reactivity, mainly for noradrenaline, serotonin and histamine.