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Biomedical subjects

R G Shanks

Publications and source records attributed to R G Shanks.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Effect of acute and chronic indoramin administration on baroreflex function and tremor in humans.

Several mechanisms have been suggested for the absence of reflex tachycardia in response to the hypotensive effect of the selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist indoramin, including, in animals, membrane-stabilising activity, prolongation of repolarisation time, and reduction in baroreflex sensitivity. The present study investigated the effect of acute and chronic oral administration of indoramin (50 mg daily for 8 days) on baroreflex sensitivity in six healthy male volunteers. Baroreflex function was measured by determining the relationship between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and R-R interval following intravenous administration of phenylephrine. Indoramin shifted (p less than 0.05) the phenylephrine dose-response curve to the right on days 1 and 8 compared with placebo. Baroreflex sensitivity [R-R (ms)/SBP (mm Hg)] was reduced (p less than 0.05) by indoramin on day 1 compared with placebo (18.3 +/- 1.3 vs. 11.2 +/- 2.2 ms/mm Hg), and on day 8 compared with pretreatment values (18.3 +/- 2.8 vs. 10.8 +/- 1.8 ms/mm Hg). Acute but not chronic administration of indoramin caused (p less than 0.05) sedation; tremor tended to increase with chronic administration. It is suggested that depression of baroreflex sensitivity by indoramin may explain, in part, the lack of reflex tachycardia associated with its antihypertensive effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The selectivity of xamoterol, prenalterol, and salbutamol as assessed by their effects in the presence and absence of ICI 118,551.

The selectivity of single oral doses of xamoterol, 200 mg, prenalterol, 50 mg, and salbutamol, 8 mg, was compared in eight healthy male volunteers by measuring their effects on sleeping heart rate, supine heart rate, blood pressure, forearm blood flow, finger tremor, and exercise heart rate in the presence and absence of the specific beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551, 25 mg. Xamoterol, 200 mg, increased sleeping heart rate and systolic blood pressure, decreased exercise heart rate, and had no effect on diastolic blood pressure, forearm blood flow, or finger tremor. The concurrent administration of ICI 118,551, 25 mg, did not alter these results. Supine heart rate was increased by xamoterol and did not differ from that for xamoterol with ICI 118,551. Prenalterol, 50 mg, increased sleeping heart rate, supine heart rate, systolic blood pressure, forearm blood flow, and finger tremor, decreased diastolic blood pressure, and had no effect on exercise tachycardia. The concurrent administration of ICI 118,551 with prenalterol reduced the increase in sleeping heart rate, supine heart rate, and forearm blood flow, and reduced the fall in diastolic blood pressure caused by prenalterol alone. The increase in finger tremor following prenalterol with ICI 118,551 tended to be less than that following prenalterol. Salbutamol, 8 mg, increased sleeping heart rate, supine heart rate, systolic blood pressure, forearm blood flow, finger tremor, and exercise heart rate, and caused a fall in diastolic blood pressure. When salbutamol, 8 mg, was administered with ICI 118,551, 25 mg, the only changes detected were a small initial increase in finger tremor and a small rise in diastolic blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1988

Effect of acute and chronic oral administration of alfuzosin on baroreflex function and tremor in man.

1. The effects of the acute and chronic administration of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist alfuzosin (5 mg twice daily for 7 days) on baroreflex function, physiological tremor and sedation (visual analogue scale) were investigated in six healthy volunteers. 2. Phenylephrine-systolic pressure dose-response curves were shifted (P less than 0.05) to the right by alfuzosin compared with placebo on day 1, and on day 8 prior to the administration of alfuzosin indicating significant alpha-adrenoceptor blockade over 24 h with 5 mg twice daily administration. 3. Baroreflex sensitivity (delta R-R ms mmHg-1 systolic arterial pressure) was reduced (P less than 0.05) by alfuzosin compared with placebo on day 1 (13.8 +/- 2.6 vs 20.6 +/- 3.6 ms mmHg-1) and on day 8 (13.4 +/- 1.7 vs 21.1 +/- 2.7 ms mmHg-1). 4. Maximum power (microV2) or frequency (Hz) of physiological tremor did not change 2 h after alfuzosin administration on day 1 (13.7 +/- 4.4 microV2, 9.2 +/- 0.3 Hz) or day 8 (11.5 +/- 4.3 microV2, 10.0 +/- 0.4 Hz) compared with placebo on day 1 (16.9 +/- 7.5 microV2, 10.0 +/- 0.4 Hz) and day 8 (17.3 +/- 5.7 microV2, 10.2 +/- 0.8 Hz). 5. Alfuzosin 5 mg twice daily did not cause sedation on day 1 or day 8. 6. In conclusion the reduction in baroreflex sensitivity with the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist alfuzosin may contribute to its antihypertensive activity in reducing the reflex tachycardia associated with its hypotensive action.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Effects of the myocardial-selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist UK-52046 and atenolol, alone and in combination, on experimental cardiac arrhythmias in dogs.

1. Adrenaline-induced arrhythmias in anaesthetized dogs respired with halothane were attenuated in 3 groups of 6 dogs by either UK-52046, 3.8 +/- 1.4 micrograms kg-1 (mean +/- s.e.mean), atenolol 14.6 +/- 2.1 micrograms kg-1, or a combination containing equal amounts of the two drugs of 0.36 +/- 0.1 microgram kg-1. The pressor response to adrenaline was reduced (P less than 0.01) by UK-52046 but not by atenolol or the combination of both drugs. 2. In a group of 6 dogs with multiventricular ectopic beats 24 h after coronary artery ligation (CAL), UK-52046, 32 micrograms kg-1, increased the number of sinus beats in each 5 min period from 137 +/- 47 to 662 +/- 99 (P less than 0.01); this was associated with a significant (P less than 0.01) fall in blood pressure. Atenolol in doses of up to 800 micrograms kg-1 had no effect. 3. UK-52046, 3.7 +/- 1.4 micrograms kg-1, prevented adrenaline-induced arrhythmias 3-4 days after CAL in 6/6 conscious dogs; atenolol in doses of up to 100 micrograms kg-1 produced an 84.4 +/- 7.4% reduction in the number of ventricular ectopic beats. A combination containing 3.7 +/- 1.1 micrograms kg-1 of each drug prevented the arrhythmia in 6/6 dogs. The pressor response to adrenaline was attenuated (P less than 0.05) by UK-52046, but resting blood pressure was unaffected by the different treatments. An increase (P less than 0.01) in heart rate was associated with both UK-52046 and the combination. 4. Neither UK-52046 (doses up to 64 micrograms kg-1) nor atenolol (up to 800 micrograms kg-1) had any effect upon ouabain-induced arrhythmias in 2 groups of 6 anaesthetized dogs. 5. In a study of the early (1a/1b) arrhythmias of acute myocardial ischaemia, the total number of ventricular ectopic beats occurring within 30 min of CAL was not reduced by 4 micrograms kg-1 UK-52046 but fell (P less than 0.01 compared with placebo) after 8 micrograms kg-1 [median values with ranges for placebo, 4 micrograms kg-1 and 8 micrograms kg-1 respectively 190 (4-674), 246 (9-1204) and 12 (1-154)]. Both doses of UK-52046 were associated with significant falls in blood pressure. 6. The arrhythmias produced by programmed electrical stimulation were studied in 2 groups of 6 conscious dogs, 7-30 days after CAL. With placebo, 4/6 dogs remained unchanged and 2 died: UK-52046 prevented arrhythmias in 2/6, 2 remained unchanged and 2 died (P = 0.29). Compared with placebo, blood pressure fell with doses greater than 4jg kg- '. 7. These results indicate antiarrhythmic effects of UK-52046 in a number of experimental models and suggest an enhanced role of alpha-receptors in the genesis of ischaemia-related arrhythmias. In several of the models used, UK-52046 produced haemodynamic changes in keeping with peripheral alpha-adrenoceptor antagonism.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1987

Baroreceptor function in man following peripheral alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation.

Methoxamine and alpha-methyl-noradrenaline were administered to six healthy male subjects on separate days as rapid bolus injections until blood pressure increased by approximately 30 mmHg; Valsalva's Manoeuvre was carried out on each occasion. Propranolol (80 mg) or placebo was administered (random order, double-blind, weekly intervals) and the observations were repeated after 2 h. Baroreceptor sensitivity (delta R-R interval ms/mmHg systolic BP) was less (p less than 0.05) with alpha-methyl-noradrenaline than methoxamine. Propranolol abolished the differences in baroreceptor-mediated bradycardia following alpha-methyl-noradrenaline and methoxamine, and shifted the baroreceptor sensitivity regression lines (p less than 0.05) to the left. During the release phase of Valsalva's Manoeuvre baroreceptor sensitivity was increased following propranolol. The smaller baroreceptor-mediated bradycardia response observed with alpha-methyl-noradrenaline does not support the hypothesis that pre-synaptic alpha-adrenoreceptors have a physiological role in the modulation of baroreceptor function in man, and may be due to alpha-methyl-noradrenaline having beta 1-agonist activity.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1987

Computerized evaluation of Valsalva's Maneuver before and during alpha-adrenoceptor blockade with alfuzosin.

Methodological differences exist in the evaluation of Valsalva's Maneuver. Linear and nonlinear mathematical models were described for beat-to-beat changes in blood pressure and R-R intervals occurring during the strain and release phases of Valsalva's Maneuver. This study indicated that the strain phase is linear, whereas the release phase is nonlinear; the release phase consists of a "lag phase," a "breakpoint," and an "overshoot phase." The alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, alfuzosin, reduced baroreflex-mediated tachycardia during the strain phase and prolonged the "time lag" and "pressure lag" during the release phase; the latter change was due entirely to the reduced systolic pressure that occurred with alfuzosin at the end of the strain phase.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1987

A comparison of the cardioselectivity of five beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs.

The cardioselectivities of five beta-adrenoceptor antagonists were compared. Six normal subjects received, in a double-blind random order, 200 mg acebutolol, 50 mg atenolol, 10 mg betaxolol, 100 mg metoprolol, 80 mg propranolol, and placebo. All beta-adrenoceptor antagonists produced a similar reduction in exercise tachycardia. Isoprenaline infusions in incremental doses were given. Dose-response curves were constructed and the doses of isoprenaline required to increase heart rate by 25 beats/min (I25), forearm blood flow by 3 ml/100 ml/min (IF3), and finger tremor by 200% (IT200), and decrease diastolic blood pressure by 25 mm Hg (ID25), after each treatment were compared. After propranolol, I25, ID25, IF3, and IT200 were greater (p less than 0.02) than after atenolol, betaxolol, and metoprolol; I25, ID25, and IT200 were greater than after acebutolol. After acebutolol I25, ID25, and IF3 were greater than after atenolol and betaxolol; IT200 was greater than after betaxolol. Atenolol and betaxolol caused less reduction in the isoprenaline-induced changes in blood glucose, plasma potassium, lactate, renin activity, and serum insulin than propranolol. Acebutolol caused less attenuation of blood glucose and plasma lactate, and metoprolol less attenuation of plasma renin activity, than propranolol. It is concluded that acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, and metoprolol cause less blockade of beta 2-adrenoceptors than propranolol, and atenolol and betaxolol are more cardioselective than acebutolol.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1987

The assessment in man of the beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity and cardioselectivity of H-I 42 BS, a long acting beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug.

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist H-I 42 BS were examined in healthy subjects. In an open dose ranging study, H-I 42 BS 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg were given as single oral doses to four subjects. H-I 42 BS 400 mg caused maximum reduction in exercise heart rate (20.4 +/- 1.0%--mean +/- s.d.) at 4 h and still reduced exercise heart rate at 96 h (18.4 +/- 7.2%). Seven subjects received in double-blind, randomised order, single oral doses of H-I 42 BS 50, 100 and 200 mg, atenolol 50 and 100 mg and placebo. H-I 42 BS 400 mg was given in a single blind manner as the last dose of the study. Both H-I 42 BS and atenolol reduced supine and standing heart rate and systolic blood pressure (P less than 0.05) although atenolol had the more marked effect. The maximum percent reduction of exercise heart rate after H-I 42 BS 50 mg was 10.9 +/- 7.1%, after 100 mg was 18.7 +/- 5.8%, after 200 mg was 20.6 +/- 6.4% and after 400 mg was 21.9 +/- 8.2%. H-I 42 BS 400 mg still caused 11.0 +/- 3.5% reduction at 168 h. Atenolol 50 mg caused maximum percent reduction of exercise heart rate of 26.0 +/- 6.0% but did not reduce exercise heart rate after 24 h. The mean peak plasma concentrations for all doses of H-I 42 BS occurred at 5.1 +/- 1.5 h. The plasma elimination half-life was 47.6 +/- 8.1 h. There was a linear correlation between the dose and AUC0-infinity (r = 0.97). The cardioselectivity of H-I 42 BS and atenolol was compared. Six subjects received in double-blind random order H-I 42 BS 100 and 400 mg, atenolol 50 mg and placebo. After each dose, graded infusions of isoprenaline were given until the heart rate increased by 50 beats min-1. Dose-response curves for heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, forearm blood flow and finger tremor were constructed. There was no difference in the dose-response curves for forearm blood flow or finger tremor after H-I 42 BS 400 mg or atenolol 50 mg. Atenolol 50 mg caused more attenuation (P less than 0.01) of the diastolic blood pressure response. These results indicate that H-I 42 BS is a cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with a long duration of action in man.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1987

A comparative pharmacokinetic study of conventional propranolol and long acting preparation of propranolol in patients with cirrhosis and normal controls.

1 Six male patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and seven normal control subjects were each given 80 mg twice daily of conventional propranolol for 1 week and 160 mg once daily of a long acting preparation (LA) of propranolol for 1 week. 2 Plasma propranolol levels were measured at regular intervals on the first and seventh days of both weeks and also following an acute intravenous infusion of 10 mg propranolol on a separate occasion. 3 After the single intravenous dose the elimination half-life tended to be prolonged in the cirrhotic group (median 7.15 h) compared with controls (median 2.92 h) (P = 0.055). 4 After multiple oral dosing with 80 mg twice daily of conventional propranolol the steady-state plasma concentration (Css), area under the curve (AUC tau), peak concentration (Cmax) and trough concentration (Cmin) were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients and the peak: trough ratio (Cmax/Cmin) was significantly lower than controls. 5 After multiple oral dosing with 160 mg LA once daily Cmin was significantly higher than Cmax/min significantly lower in cirrhotic patients; Css, AUC and Cmax were higher than controls but not statistically different. 6 Within both subject groups the bioavailability of 80 mg twice daily of conventional propranolol tended to be greater than 160 mg LA once daily. Cmax was significantly higher in both groups and Css higher in the cirrhotic group with conventional propranolol. 7 In the cirrhotic group the mean reduction in supine heart rate in the steady state was 31.8% with conventional 80 mg twice daily propranolol and 23.75% with 160 mg LA once daily.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1987

An assessment of the partial agonist activity of Ro 31-1118, flusoxolol and pindolol in man.

1. The effects of single oral doses of three beta-adrenoceptor partial agonists (Ro 31-1118, flusoxolol and pindolol), two beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (propranolol and atenolol), two beta-adrenoceptor agonists (salbutamol and prenalterol) and placebo on sleeping heart rate, quality of sleep, supine heart rate, exercise heart rate, blood pressure, forearm blood flow and finger tremor were studied in eight healthy male volunteers. 2. Sleeping heart rate was increased by Ro 31-1118, flusoxolol, pindolol, salbutamol and prenalterol and decreased by propranolol and atenolol. 3. None of the drugs studied affected quality of sleep. 4. Supine heart rate was increased by flusoxolol, prenalterol and salbutamol, unaffected by Ro 31-1118 and pindolol and reduced by propranolol and atenolol. 5. Exercise heart rate was reduced by both beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and the three partial agonists and unaffected by salbutamol and prenalterol. 6. Systolic blood pressure was increased by Ro 31-1118, flusoxolol, salbutamol and prenalterol, unaffected by pindolol and reduced by propranolol and atenolol. Diastolic blood pressure was reduced by salbutamol and prenalterol. 7. Forearm blood flow was increased by Ro 31-1118, salbutamol and prenalterol, unchanged by pindolol and flusoxolol and decreased by atenolol and propranolol. 8. Finger tremor was increased by Ro 31-1118, flusoxolol, pindolol, salbutamol, and prenalterol. 9. beta-adrenoceptor partial agonists have different effects on the cardiovascular system and finger tremor to beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. 10. While Ro 31-1118 and flusoxolol are antagonists mainly at the beta 1-adrenoceptor they have agonist activity at both beta 1- and beta 2 adrenoceptors. 11. While pindolol is a non-selective antagonist its agonist activity is mainly at the beta 2-adrenoceptor.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1987

The assessment of the beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity and cardioselectivity of Koe 3290 in normal subjects.

1. The beta-adrenoceptor antagonist activity, cardioselectivity and antilipolytic properties of Koe 3290 were investigated in healthy subjects. 2. Koe 3290 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg, atenolol 25, 50 and 100 mg and placebo were given in double-blind randomised order to eight subjects. All doses of both Koe 3290 and atenolol reduced supine, standing and exercise heart rate (P less than 0.02). From 2 to 8 h after administration the exercise heart rate after Koe 3290 100 mg was similar to that for atenolol 50 mg. 3. The cardioselectivity of Koe 3290 and atenolol was compared. Koe 3290 50, 100 and 150 mg, atenolol 50 and 100 mg and placebo were given to six subjects in a double-blind random order. Isoprenaline dose-response curves were constructed for cardiovascular parameters and finger tremor. 4. For doses which were equipotent at the beta 1-adrenoceptor (Koe 3290 100 mg and atenolol 50 mg) atenolol caused less attenuation of heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, forearm blood flow and finger tremor (P less than 0.02). 5. There was no difference in the isoprenaline-induced changes in serum free fatty acids, blood glucose, plasma lactate or potassium after Koe 3290 and atenolol. Koe 3290 attenuated the rise in serum insulin more than atenolol (P less than 0.02). 6. Koe 3290 is an effective beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug in man. It is not as cardioselective as atenolol and does not possess specific antilipolytic properties.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1987

Clinical pharmacokinetics of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. An update.

The beta-adrenoceptor antagonists have been widely used clinically for over 20 years and their pharmacokinetics have been more thoroughly investigated than any other group of drugs. Their various lipid solubilities are associated with differences in absorption, distribution and excretion. All are adequately absorbed, and some like atenolol, sotalol and nadolol which are poorly lipid-soluble are excreted unchanged in the urine, accumulating in renal failure but cleared normally in liver disease. The more lipid-soluble drugs are subject to variable metabolism in the liver, which may be influenced by age, phenotype, environment, disease and other drugs, leading to more variable plasma concentrations. Their clearance is reduced in liver disease but is generally unchanged in renal dysfunction. All the beta-adrenoceptor antagonists reduce cardiac output and this may reduce hepatic clearance of highly extracted drugs. In addition, the metabolised drugs compete with other drugs for enzymatic biotransformation and the potential for interaction is great, but because of the high therapeutic index of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, any unexpected clinical effects are more likely to be due to changes in the kinetics of the other drug. Because satisfactory plasma concentration effect relationships have been difficult to establish for most clinical indications, and little dose-related toxicity is seen, plasma beta-adrenoceptor antagonist concentration measurement is usually unnecessary. The investigation of the clinical pharmacokinetics of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonists has added greatly to our theoretical and practical knowledge of pharmacokinetics and made some contribution to their better clinical use.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1987

Celiprolol. A preliminary review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and its therapeutic use in hypertension and angina pectoris.

Celiprolol is a new 'cardioselective' beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug with intrinsic sympathomimetic (partial agonist) activity and a weak vasodilating effect. Celiprolol appears not to cause bronchoconstriction or inhibit the effect of bronchodilating drugs in asthmatic patients and there is some evidence that it may have mild bronchodilating activity in such patients. Some studies suggest that celiprolol, because of vasodilation, may be less likely to reduce blood flow to the peripheries than other beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs and hence cause fewer peripheral vascular side effects. Significant inhibition of exercise tachycardia occurs 24 hours after a single oral dose of celiprolol. In preliminary therapeutic trials celiprolol 200 to 600mg once daily was similar in efficacy to propranolol 40mg to 80mg twice daily or atenolol 100mg once daily in patients with mild to moderate hypertension or angina pectoris. If the apparent pharmacodynamic advantages of celiprolol are confirmed in well designed therapeutic trials then celiprolol should represent a definite advance in beta-adrenoceptor blocking therapy.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1986

Peripheral vascular effects of bufuralol in hypertensive and normal subjects: a comparison with propranolol and pindolol.

In a double-blind, single oral dose, cross-over study, the effects of bufuralol (60 mg) on heart rate, blood pressure, and peripheral vascular responses were compared with those of propranolol (160 mg), pindolol (10 mg), and placebo in a group of 12 healthy volunteers. All three beta-adrenoceptor antagonists reduced exercise tachycardia, but at the doses chosen the effects of bufuralol were less than those of propranolol. Forearm blood flow was reduced by propranolol and pindolol, but not by bufuralol. The antihypertensive and peripheral vascular effects of bufuralol (30-60 mg bd) were also compared with those of propranolol (40-80 mg bd) in a double-blind crossover study in 10 patients with mild hypertension. Propranolol and bufuralol produced comparable reductions in systemic blood pressure over a two-week period, but the decreases in forearm and finger blood flow were greater with propranolol. These studies suggest that bufuralol is a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with antihypertensive properties, and that it produces less peripheral vasoconstriction than propranolol or pindolol.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Acute haemodynamic effects of pinacidil in man.

The acute haemodynamic effects of i.v. pinacidil 0.2 mg kg-1 infused over 8 min were studied in 10 normotensive patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation. Mean arterial pressure fell from 94 +/- 3 mmHg (mean +/- s.e. mean) before infusion to 74 +/- 3 mmHg at 10 min after commencing infusion (P less than 0.001) and during this time heart rate increased from 75 +/- 4 to 106 +/- 7 beats min-1 (P less than 0.001). Significant changes were recorded until the end of the observation period (70 min after commencing infusion). Cardiac index increased from 3.2 +/- 0.2 to 4.0 +/- 0.2 l min-1 m-2 (P less than 0.001) and systemic vascular resistance fell from 16 +/- 1 to 10 +/- 1 units (P less than 0.001) at 10 min after commencing infusion. By the end of the observation period, the values had returned to pre-infusion levels. Only small changes in pulmonary haemodynamics were observed. These results indicate that pinacidil acts as a peripheral arteriolar vasodilator, and as such may have a role in the treatment of arterial hypertension and of cardiac failure.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies on bufuralol in man.

Observations were made in eight subjects who exercised before and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h after the double-blind oral administration of placebo, bufuralol 7.5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 mg and propranolol 40 and 160 mg. The exercise heart rate remained constant after placebo. Bufuralol 7.5 mg and propranolol 40 mg reduced exercise heart rate up to 6 and 8 h respectively after dosing but bufuralol 15, 30, 60 and 120 mg and propranolol 160 mg were still active at 24 h. The lowest exercise heart rate occurred at 2 h after all active treatments. Bufuralol 60 and 120 mg produced similar reduction in exercise tachycardia as propranolol 40 mg but less than propranolol 160 mg. Plasma levels of bufuralol and its two major metabolites were measured. The peak plasma concentrations of bufuralol occurred at 1.5 h after 7.5 mg and at 2 h after the other doses of bufuralol. In six subjects the plasma elimination half-life of bufuralol was 2.61 +/- 0.18 h and in the other three subjects 4.85 +/- 0.35 h. There was a corresponding longer time to peak concentration and plasma elimination half-life of the two metabolites in these three subjects. These findings show that bufuralol is a potent beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with partial agonist activity. It has a long duration of action and there is bimodal metabolism of the drug in man.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗