Effect of Reserpine on Sympathetic Vasoconstrictor Responses

Summary

The effects of reserpine on the responsiveness of the sympathetic nervous sytem was assessed in 10 subjects. The Valsalva overshoot was significantly inhibited and the digital reflex vasoconstrictor response to a deep breath was blocked in the majority of the subjects tested. On assuming the upright position recovery of blood pressure was moderately impaired following reserpine although symptomatic or t hos tatic hypo tension did not occur. These results indicate mild impairment of sympathetic reflex vasoconstrictor responses. By contrast, the cold pressor response was not inhibited. The latter effect may be due to failure of the drug to inhibit adrenal release of catecholamines or to the fact that the cold test is a more potent stimulus to the sympathetic nervous system.