Cardiovascular effects of two potential beta-hydroxylase inhibitors.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of two potential beta-hydroxylase inhibitors, a dithiocarbamate and a thiourea derivative of d-amphetamine, 1 and 2, respectively. These compounds when given intravenously elicited a significant dose-dependent depressor effect in normotensive rats and dogs anesthetized with chloralose-urethane. The hypotensive effect of these compounds appears to be the result of a combination of two action components: (a) the major component, which can be blocked by atropine, exerted through the parasympathetic division and (b) a decreased availability of sympathetic neurotransmitter at the synaptic cleft. A CNS-stimulant effect of these compounds is suggested by their ability to reduce hexobarbital sleeping time in mice and their analeptic effect in all anesthetized animals employed.