Abstract
The cardiovascular effects of i.v. α-amino-β-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB) were investigated in rats anaesthetized with urethane. GABOB produced a dose-dependent hypotensive response. Treatment with GABA-A receptor antagonists prevented the GABOB response while the GABA stimulation by diazepam enhanced this response. The β1-adrenoceptor antagonist reduced the GABOB-induced hypotension but β2-adrenoceptor antagonists did not affect it. Picrotoxin, bicuculline or diazepam produced an increase in basal blood pressure. Fifteen days after sinoaortic denervation in rats the glutamic acid decarboxylase and the aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) activities were significantly reduced in dorsal pons and in anterior hypothalamus whereas GABA-T activity was increased in ventral medulla oblongata. Our results demonstrate that GABOB stimulates GABA-A receptors in anaesthetized rats and thus exerts a neuromodulatory effect on cardiovascular function. GABAergic neurotransmission participates in the sinoaortic deafferentation in rats.