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The effect of prazosin on skin microcirculation as assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry.
Author(s) -
Khan F.,
Struthers AD,
Spence VA
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1988.tb05276.x
Subject(s) - prazosin , laser doppler velocimetry , vasoconstriction , medicine , postsynaptic potential , blood pressure , microcirculation , blood flow , anesthesia , cardiology , antagonist , receptor
1. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used in six normal volunteers to record changes in fingertip skin blood flow after the administration of prazosin to block postsynaptic alpha 1‐adrenoceptors. 2. Prazosin (0.5 mg orally) did not alter systolic or diastolic blood pressure or heart rate. 3. Prazosin did significantly increase basal skin blood flow 2 h after its administration but this effect was no longer evident after contralateral hand warming. Prazosin markedly reduced the skin vasoconstrictor response to deep inspiration and to contralateral hand cooling. 4. This study suggests that postsynaptic alpha 1‐adrenoceptors are involved in maintaining skin vasoconstrictor tone at rest and are also involved in the rapid skin vasoconstriction seen in response to a deep inspiration and to contralateral hand cooling.