Lab report
Abstract: Sympathetic nervous system and cardiovascular function in the body.
Acknowledgement: In order to obtain the data for this experiment # collected the data as labpartner.
Introduction: The aim for this experiment in three parts is to present and discuss how the sympathetic nervous
system controls cardiovascular function in the body. By injecting adrenergic agonists and antagonists in a rat
simulation software.
Adrenergic receptors (⍺-1, ⍺-2, β1, β2 & β3)
Alpha-1 receptors are coupled with Gq proteins. The most important locations of alpha 1 receptors are in
smooth muscle, the heart, glands and in neuronal terminals. The receptors can also be found in liver and
adipose tissue. When being stimulated by an agonist it causes peripheral vasoconstriction, for arterioles this
means the afterload is increased, while for veins this means the preload is increased. Other important effects:
contraction of the GI sphincter and bladder sphincter contraction. For the bladder this results in urine retention.
Effects on the eye is dilation of the pupils (mydriasis). Stimulation of the receptor increases glycogenolysis
(breakdown of glucose-1-phosphate to glucose). (1)(2)(3)
Alpha-2 receptors are coupled with Gi proteins. The most important locations of alpha-2 receptors are in
pancreas, the heart, in glands, the eyes and prejunctional nerve terminals. The receptors can also be found in
adipose tissue, bladder and smooth muscles of vessels. When being stimulated it causes a decrease in the
release of norepinephrine and the synthesis, in addition a decrease in insulin release. Other effects are an
increase in platelet aggregation while a decrease in lipolysis.(4)(5)
Beta-1 receptors are coupled with Gs proteins. The most important locations of beta-1 receptors are in the
heart, specifically the SV-, AV-node and in the atrial and ventricular muscle (the myocardium). Locations are to
the kidneys and central nervous system. To some extent it is found in adipose tissue. The effects of simulations
are increase in heart rate (chronotropy), increase of conduction velocity (dromotropy), increased force of
contraction (inotropy). The beta-1 receptors stimulate increase of renin release in the kidneys. (1)(6) (19).
Beta-2 receptors are coupled with Gs proteins. The most important locations of the receptors are in the liver, in
pancreas and in smooth muscle. Particularly smooth muscle of the blood vessels, bronchioles and uterus. The
receptors can be found in the central nervous system and some in the heart. Stimulation of the receptors causes
relaxation of smooth muscle, this causes vasodilatation, relaxation of uterus and bladder relaxation. Other
important effects are increased contractility, glycogenolysis and insulin release. (6)(7)
1
Abstract: Sympathetic nervous system and cardiovascular function in the body.
Acknowledgement: In order to obtain the data for this experiment # collected the data as labpartner.
Introduction: The aim for this experiment in three parts is to present and discuss how the sympathetic nervous
system controls cardiovascular function in the body. By injecting adrenergic agonists and antagonists in a rat
simulation software.
Adrenergic receptors (⍺-1, ⍺-2, β1, β2 & β3)
Alpha-1 receptors are coupled with Gq proteins. The most important locations of alpha 1 receptors are in
smooth muscle, the heart, glands and in neuronal terminals. The receptors can also be found in liver and
adipose tissue. When being stimulated by an agonist it causes peripheral vasoconstriction, for arterioles this
means the afterload is increased, while for veins this means the preload is increased. Other important effects:
contraction of the GI sphincter and bladder sphincter contraction. For the bladder this results in urine retention.
Effects on the eye is dilation of the pupils (mydriasis). Stimulation of the receptor increases glycogenolysis
(breakdown of glucose-1-phosphate to glucose). (1)(2)(3)
Alpha-2 receptors are coupled with Gi proteins. The most important locations of alpha-2 receptors are in
pancreas, the heart, in glands, the eyes and prejunctional nerve terminals. The receptors can also be found in
adipose tissue, bladder and smooth muscles of vessels. When being stimulated it causes a decrease in the
release of norepinephrine and the synthesis, in addition a decrease in insulin release. Other effects are an
increase in platelet aggregation while a decrease in lipolysis.(4)(5)
Beta-1 receptors are coupled with Gs proteins. The most important locations of beta-1 receptors are in the
heart, specifically the SV-, AV-node and in the atrial and ventricular muscle (the myocardium). Locations are to
the kidneys and central nervous system. To some extent it is found in adipose tissue. The effects of simulations
are increase in heart rate (chronotropy), increase of conduction velocity (dromotropy), increased force of
contraction (inotropy). The beta-1 receptors stimulate increase of renin release in the kidneys. (1)(6) (19).
Beta-2 receptors are coupled with Gs proteins. The most important locations of the receptors are in the liver, in
pancreas and in smooth muscle. Particularly smooth muscle of the blood vessels, bronchioles and uterus. The
receptors can be found in the central nervous system and some in the heart. Stimulation of the receptors causes
relaxation of smooth muscle, this causes vasodilatation, relaxation of uterus and bladder relaxation. Other
important effects are increased contractility, glycogenolysis and insulin release. (6)(7)
1
