The effects of methacholine and calcium deprivation on the release of the false transmitter, ?-methyladrenaline, from the isolated rabbit heart

1. Anaesthetized rabbits were infused for 20 min with 85 μg · kg−1 · min−1 (±)-α-methyladrenaline. The hearts dissected 15 min after the infusion contained 1.49 μg/g α-methyladrenaline; the endogenous noradrenaline content was correspondingly decreased. 2. Hearts from α-methyladrenaline-infused animals were isolated with the right sympathetic nerves intact and perfused. Ventricular rate, right atrial and right ventricular tensions were recorded using the transverse method. 3. Electrical stimulation (10 Hz, 1 ms, 1 min) of sympathetic nerves, perfusion with the nicotinic drug, p-aminophenethyltrimethylammonium (PAPETA) or perfusion with 54 mM KCl (high K+) solution evoked an output of both α…