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CHANGES IN PLATELET SIZE AND SPLEEN VOLUME IN RESPONSE TO SELECTIVE AND NON‐SELECTIVE β‐ADRENOCEPTOR BLOCKADE IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS
Author(s) -
Bakovic Darija,
Pivac Nediljko,
Eterovic Davor,
Palada Ivan,
Valic Zoran,
PaukovicSekulic Branka,
Dujic Zeljko
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2008.05090.x
Subject(s) - bisoprolol , mean platelet volume , carvedilol , spleen , medicine , platelet , antagonist , blood pressure , endocrinology , heart rate , heart failure , cardiology , receptor
SUMMARY1 The spleen contains approximately one‐third of all the body's platelets. These platelets are relatively larger and haemostatically more active than platelets in the systemic circulation and can be released into the systemic circulation by stimulation of α‐adrenoceptors or inhibition of β‐adrenoceptors. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of selective (bisoprol) and non‐selective (carvedilol) beta‐blockers agents on mean platelet volume (MPV) and spleen size in hypertensive patients at rest and after exercise. 2 Blood pressure, heart rate, platelet count, MPV and spleen volume were measured in 18 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, as well as in nine healthy control subjects, subjected to treadmill exercise test at their first visit and, for the hypertensive group, after 15 and 30 days of treatment with the selective β 1 ‐adrenoceptor antagonist bisoprolol 5 mg/day ( n = 9) or the non‐selective α 1 ‐, β 1 ‐ and β 2 ‐adrenoceptor antagonist carvedilol 25 mg/day ( n = 9). 3 Increases in resting MPV values with concomitant decreases in spleen volume were found after 15 and 30 days treatment with either bisoprolol or carvedilol. The pronounced decrease in splenic volume after exercise and the increased MPV and platelet counts seen at first visit were halved after 15 and 30 days of treatment with either drug. 4 We conclude that in hypertensive patients treated with either selective or non‐selective beta‐blockers, the spleen contracts and MPV increases, which may increase the risk of atherothrombosis.