IMPAIRMENT OF HEART MITOCHONDRIA INDUCED BY LARGE DOSES OF SYMPATHOMIMETICS AND ADRENERGIC BLOCKING AGENTS IN GUINEA PIGS

Abstract

By using the polarographic technique with a rotating electrode, respiratory function was tested in heart mitochondria which were obtained from guinea pigs pretreated with sympathomimetics and adrenergic blocking agents. The degree and duration of mitochondrial impairment were dose-dependent. Alpha and beta adrenergic blocking agents both induced the same type of obstruction of mitochondrial respiration as was seen with sympathomimetics. It has been suggested that a hypoxic state of the myocardium induced by sympathomimetics is partially related to the onset of respiratory obstrution in myocardial mitochondria. No relationship was observed between the catecholamine-induced impairment of mitochondria and adrenergic receptors in the myocardium.