Differential mechanisms of action of the trace amines octopamine, synephrine and tyramine on the porcine coronary and mesenteric artery

Trace amines such as p-tyramine, p-octopamine and p-synephrine are found in low concentrations in animals and plants. Consumption of pre-workout supplements containing these plant-derived amines has been associated with cardiovascular side effects. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms of action of these trace amines on porcine isolated coronary and mesenteric arteries. Noradrenaline caused contraction of mesenteric arteries and relaxation of coronary arteries. In both tissues, all three trace amines induced contractions with similar potencies and responses were unaffected by the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (1 µM), the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NNA (100 µM), or the TAAR-1 antagonist, EPPTB (100 nM). However, the contractile responses of mesenteric arteries, but not coronary arteries, were significantly reduced by depletion of endogenous noradrenaline. Mesenteric responses to all three amines were abolished in the presence of prazosin (1 µM) whereas residual contractile responses remained in the coronary artery which were inhibited by a high concentration (100 µM) of EPPTB. The results suggest complex responses of the coronary artery to the trace amines, with activity at α1-adrenoceptors and potentially TAARs other than TAAR-1. In contrast the actions of the amines on the mesenteric artery appeared to involve indirect sympathomimetic actions and direct actions on α1-adrenoceptors.