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Beta‐adrenoceptor blockade and psychic stress in man. A comparison of the acute effects of labetalol, metoprolol, pindolol and propranolol on plasma levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline.
Author(s) -
TrapJensen J,
Carlsen JE,
Hartling OJ,
Svendsen TL,
Tango M,
Christensen NJ
Publication year - 1982
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.1365-2125.1982.tb01946.x
Subject(s) - labetalol , pindolol , metoprolol , propranolol , atenolol , blockade , medicine , acebutolol , nadolol , beta (programming language) , adrenergic receptor , psychic , receptor , blood pressure , alternative medicine , pathology , computer science , programming language
1 A random double‐blind study was performed in healthy volunteers. The immediate effects of three different beta‐adrenoceptor blocking agents, metoprolol, pindolol and propranolol, on the plasma concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline were compared in a situation of pleasant psychic stimulation during a television‐game of tennis. The immediate effects of labetalol in a group of patients with arterial hypertension were studied in a similar experimental situation. 2 During psychic stress the plasma concentration of noradrenaline rose significantly by 85% after placebo, by 95% after labetalol, by 63% after metoprolol and by 55% after propranolol. After pindolol the noradrenaline concentration remained unchanged. 3 During psychic stress the plasma concentration of adrenaline rose significantly by 135% after labetalol, by 110% after metoprolol and by 83% after propranolol. After pindolol and placebo the adrenaline concentration remained unchanged. 4 The present results are taken to indicate that the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity possessed by pindolol prevents the rise in plasma noradrenaline normally seen during psychic stress. It is suggested that beta‐adrenoceptor blockers with strong intrinsic sympathomimetic effect reduce the release of catecholamines during psychic stress.