Muscarinic effects of various isoarecaidine esters in sympathetic ganglia.

1 The pressor effects of various tertiary and quaternary isoarecaidine esters in both pithed and anaesthetized rats are reported. In order to elucidate the mechanism of action, various experiments were carried out with the quaternary isoarecaidine methyl ester (Q-4-Me). 2 Treatment with mecamylamine, dexetimide, reserpine and phentolamine abolished or reduced the pressor response to Q-4-Me, whereas pretreatment with cocaine gave rise to a prolonged pressor effect. Plasma noradrenaline levels were significantly increased after the infusion of Q-4-Me. 3 From the results it can be concluded that the pressor effects brought about by the quaternary compounds can be attributed to stimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in sympathetic ganglia. The consequences of interaction with muscarinic receptors predominate over the effects due to minimal interference with nicotinic receptors by the drug.