Adrenergic Modulation of Excitation Propagation in Peripheral Synapses

Abstract

© 2019, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. Abstract: A long history of studies of the effect of catecholamines on various physiological processes, a multidirectional and ambiguous interpretation of these effects, and a widespread use of adrenergic drugs in clinical practice raises a question of the mechanisms of action of these compounds on various functionally important elements of a living organism. The neuromuscular synapse plays a leading role in ensuring locomotor and respiratory functions, as well as in the posture maintenance. There is a number of conflicting reports on the multidirectional effects of adrenergic agonists on the muscle contraction, the release of acetylcholine from the motor nerve endings, and the state of the postsynaptic membrane of muscle fibers. The purpose of this review is to systematize the information concerning the effects of adrenergic compounds on different stages of the process of excitation propagation in peripheral synapses and to highlight recently revealed opportunities of the application of adrenergic compounds for the treatment of various diseases associated with neuromuscular pathology.