Formation of prostacyclin during administration of beta 1-selective and non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonists in healthy humans.
Vascular formation of prostacyclin is increased by propranolol in patients with essential hypertension. However, the possible effect of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs in healthy subjects is, however, not known. We studied this issue by analysis of the urinary excretion of the prostacyclin metabolite, 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1a during intake of a beta 1-selective (metoprolol) or a non-selective (propranolol) beta-adrenoceptor antagonist. After 14 days of metoprolol treatment (100 mg d-1) the urinary excretion of PGI-M did not differ from control (253 +/- 77 vs. 220 +/- 33 pg mg-1 creatinine, respectively). Five days of randomized cross-over treatment with propranolol (80 mg day-1) or placebo did not affect urinary PGI-M significantly either (177 +/- 11 vs. 202 +/- 11 pg mg-1 creatinine, respectively). Furthermore, a daily increasing dose of propranolol (80-480 mg) progressively lowered resting blood pressure and heart rate, but failed to influence urinary excretion of PGI-M. The data demonstrate that metoprolol and propranolol do not affect basal cardiovascular formation of prostacyclin in healthy subjects. Thus, the biosynthesis of prostacyclin does not appear to be regulated by beta-adrenoceptor activity under normal conditions.