Noradrenaline release by nicotinic acid.

ABSTRACT

In doses (from 100 mug to 1 mg) nicotinic acid produced positive inotropic and chronotropic action on isolated frog heart. This effect was blocked by pronethalol and guanethidine administration. This effect was not observed in reserpinised frogs. Repeated administration of the same dose of nicotinic acid caused development of tachyphylaxis, in frog's heart preparation. The observations indicate that nicotinic acid induced a release of noradrenaline in frog's heart. On other preparations, such as isolated rabbit heart, rabbit's intestine and guinea pig seminal vesicles, nicotinic acid produced a nonspecific direct depressant action.