Alpha Adrenergic Receptors

Alpha adrenoreception is a system of cellular receptors in the body of animals and humans that control the activity of the circulatory system. These receptors are found on the walls of blood vessels and respond to chemicals such as adrenaline and norepinephrine. As a result of the activity of these receptors, blood vessels narrow, which leads to increased blood pressure and improved blood flow.

Alpha adrenoception consists of several receptor subtypes: alpha1, alpha2 and alpha3. Each of them reacts to different chemicals and has its own unique mechanism of action. For example, alpha1 receptors respond to substances such as epinephrine, norepinephrine and angiotensin and cause blood vessels to contract. Alpha2 receptors are sensitive to aprotinin agonists, and alpha3 receptors are sensitive to nicotine inhibitors.

Disturbances in alpha adrenoception can lead to various diseases. One example is hypertension, a condition in which there is an increase in blood pressure. This condition can be caused by either a malfunction of alpha1 or alpha2 adrenocytes, or a malfunction of other systems, for example, the nervous or endocrine system. Treatment of arterial hypertension may include the use of drugs that act on alpha reception or other body systems.

In addition, alpha adenoception also plays an important role in regulating respiration and heart rate. For example, activation of alpha2 receptors causes dilation of the bronchi and an increase in the volume of inhaled air, and activation of α1 causes a narrowing of peripheral vessels, a decrease in the volume of blood flowing from tissues and veins, depression of the tone of the respiratory muscles, and an increase in cardiac output.