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Muscarinic Receptor Agonists and Antagonists: Effects on Cardiovascular Function

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Book cover Muscarinic Receptors

Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 208))

Abstract

Muscarinic receptor activation plays an essential role in parasympathetic regulation of cardiovascular function. The primary effect of parasympathetic stimulation is to decrease cardiac output by inhibiting heart rate. However, pharmacologically, muscarinic agonists are actually capable of producing both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on the heart as well as vasculature. This reflects the fact that muscarinic receptors are expressed throughout the cardiovascular system, even though they are not always involved in mediating parasympathetic responses. In the heart, in addition to regulating heart rate by altering the electrical activity of the sinoatrial node, activation of M2 receptors can affect conduction of electrical impulses through the atrioventricular node. These same receptors can also regulate the electrical and mechanical activity of the atria and ventricles. In the vasculature, activation of M3 and M5 receptors in epithelial cells can cause vasorelaxation, while activation of M1 or M3 receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells can cause vasoconstriction in the absence of endothelium. This review focuses on our current understanding of the signaling mechanisms involved in mediating these responses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA

    Robert D. Harvey

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Correspondence to Robert D. Harvey .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. UHN67, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Ca, Oregon Health & Science University, SW Sam Jackson Park Road 3181, Portland, 97239, Oregon, USA

    Allison D. Fryer

  2. , Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Scien, Royal Parade 381, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia

    Arthur Christopoulos

  3. , Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195-7750, Washington, USA

    Neil M. Nathanson

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Harvey, R.D. (2012). Muscarinic Receptor Agonists and Antagonists: Effects on Cardiovascular Function. In: Fryer, A., Christopoulos, A., Nathanson, N. (eds) Muscarinic Receptors. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 208. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23274-9_13

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