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The effect of chronic propranolol treatment on overnight plasma levels of anterior pituitary and related hormones.
Author(s) -
Dart AM,
Lewis MJ,
Groom GV,
Meek EM,
Henderson AH
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1981.tb01319.x
Subject(s) - prolactin , propranolol , endocrinology , medicine , testosterone (patch) , hormone , hydrocortisone , plasma levels
1 Treatment of eight healthy males with propranolol (80 mg twice daily) for 6 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in overnight plasma levels of prolactin and LH. 2 Plasma testosterone levels were elevated whilst GH and cortisol were unchanged by such treatment. 3 Measurement of overnight hormone levels 48 h after discontinuing treatment showed no evidence of a ‘rebound’ phenomenon. 4 Cortisol, GH, prolactin, and testosterone plasma levels all showed time dependent changes: propranolol treatment significantly altered the time course of cortisol but not of the other hormones. 5 The effects of chronic propranolol treatment are discussed in terms of a probable direct central action of the drug. In addition the lowered plasma prolactin levels may directly contribute to the hypotensive action of propranolol.