Pharmacological studies on the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist mepindolol

1-Isopropylamino-3-(2-methyl-4-indolyloxy)-2-propanol (mepindolol, Corindolan) is a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with significant intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA): positive chronotropic effects in atria of the rat amount to 24% of those elicited by the full agonist isoprenaline. Relaxant effects in blood vessels approach 50% of those of isoprenaline. This vasorelaxant effect is completely blocked by the specific beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118 551 (erythro-dl-1-(7-methylindan-4-yloxy)-3-isopropylaminobut an-2-ol), suggesting that the vasodilatory effects of mepindolol are elicited by stimulation of vascular beta 2-adrenoceptors. In the anaesthetized cat mepindolol acutely lowers arterial blood pressure by reducing total peripheral resistance without exhibiting significant cardiodepressant action, whereas propranolol, lacking ISA, lowers blood pressure by a marked reduction of cardiac output and left ventricular contractility, however, total peripheral resistance is significantly increased.     

Salmeterol, a novel, long-acting beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist: characterization of pharmacological activity in vitro and in vivo.

1. Salmeterol, a novel, long-acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist, has been compared with isoprenaline and salbutamol for activity in vitro on a range of beta-adrenoceptor containing preparations from laboratory animals and man, and in vivo for bronchodilator activity in the conscious guinea-pig. 2. Salmeterol, like isoprenaline and salbutamol, relaxed preparations of both guinea-pig trachea (contracted by prostaglandin (PG)F2alpha or electrical stimulation) and human bronchus (contracted by PGF 2 alpha) in a concentration-related fashion. Salmeterol was of similar potency to isoprenaline and more potent than salbutamol on both airway preparations. 3. Relaxant responses of superfused guinea-pig trachea and human bronchus to isoprenaline and salbutamol declined rapidly when the agonists were washed from the tissues, with complete recovery within 10 min, whereas responses to salmeterol were more persistent. In electrically-stimulated guinea-pig trachea preparations, inhibition by salmeterol persisted for periods of up to 12h, despite continuous superfusion with agonist-free medium. However, these persistent responses were rapidly and fully reversed by the beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug, propranolol (0.1 microM). In further studies on guinea-pig trachea, propranolol caused concentration-related parallel, rightward shifts of salmeterol concentration-effect curves, yielding a pA2 of 9.0. The slope of the Schild plot was 1.02. 4. Another beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug, sotalol (10 microM), also fully and rapidly reversed established submaximal responses to salmeterol in superfused guinea-pig trachea. However, after administration of sotalol was stopped, the antagonism waned, and salmeterol responses were reasserted without the addition of further agonist. 5. In the beta 1-adrenoceptor containing preparation, rat left atria, isoprenaline exhibited potent, concentration-related, positive inotropic activity, whereas salbutamol and salmeterol were at least 2000-5000 fold less potent, and appeared to be partial agonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evidence for beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated facilitation of 3H-noradrenaline release from isolated guinea pig papillary muscles

The effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on field-stimulated release of radioactivity from superfused guinea pig papillary muscles preincubated with 3H-noradrenaline were studied. Stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium was abolished in the absence of Ca2+ or the presence of tetrodotoxin. Isoprenaline (1 mumol/L) caused a slight facilitation of evoked overflow, whereas phentolamine (1 mumol/L) exerted a strong facilitatory action. However, when phentolamine (1 mumol/L) was present throughout superfusion, isoprenaline and the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, zinterol, caused concentration-dependent increases (half-maximal effects at 1 nmol/L). The effects of the agonists were inversely related to stimulation frequency. Furthermore, the concentration-response curve of isoprenaline was shifted to the right by the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118,551, but not by the selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 89,406. Schild-plot analysis revealed competitive antagonism and a pA2 value of 9.04 for ICI 118,551. Both ICI 118,551 and ICI 89,406, as well as beta-adrenoceptor antagonists with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (pindolol and celiprolol; 1 mumol/L), had no effect on stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium (phentolamine present). It is concluded that guinea pig papillary muscles are endowed with prejunctional beta 2 adrenoceptors facilitating impulse-evoked noradrenaline release. The facilitation is markedly promoted by blockade of prejunctional alpha adrenoceptors.     

A beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent, befunolol as a partial agonist in isolated organs

A beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent, befunolol, which is clinically used in the treatment of glaucoma in Japan, was found to have intrinsic sympathomimetic activities in isolated right atria, trachea and taenia caecum of guinea pig (intrinsic activities are 0.22-0.28). The pD2-values of befunolol estimated in the isolated organs were significantly different from its pA2-values against isoprenaline. A possible explanation of our findings would to be as follows: befunolol interacts with the beta-adrenoceptor where there may be two different sites: one site for agonistic action and the other for competitive antagonistic action. Both sites are supposed to be mutually exclusive through unknown mechanisms. The intrinsic activity of befunolol may be equal to its selectivity for both the sites.     

Tracheal relaxing effects and beta2 adrenoceptor selectivity of S1319, a novel sponge-derived bronchodilator agent, in isolated guinea-pig tissues.

1. S1319 (4-hydroxy-7-[1-(1-hydroxy-2-methylamino)ethyl]-1, 3-benzothiazol-2(3H)-one acetate), a novel non-catecholamine beta-adrenoceptor agonist, has been compared with isoprenaline, salbutamol and formoterol for activity in vitro on a range of beta-adrenoceptor containing preparations from guinea-pig. 2. S1319, like isoprenaline, salbutamol and formoterol, relaxed preparations of guinea-pig trachea (contracted by histamine) in a concentration-dependent manner. The relaxing activity of S1319 appeared to be more potent than that of isoprenaline and salbutamol, and similar to that of formoterol (pD2 values of 10.58+/-0.03 vs 7. 60+/-0.01, 7.50+/-0.01 and 10.52+/-0.04, respectively), and was blocked by the beta2-adrenoceptor selective antagonist (ICI 118,551). The intrinsic activity of S1319 was close to 1.0. 3. In the beta1-adrenoceptor containing preparations, guinea-pig right and left atria, a monophasic inotropic response of S1319 was observed. The pD2 value of S1319 for left atrial and right atrial inotropism was 6.70+/-0.15 and 7.81+/-0.01, respectively. 4. The selectivity ratio (trachea/left atrial inotropism) of S1319, formoterol, salbutamol and isoprenaline was 8523, 284, 4.8 and 0.45, respectively. The relative selectivity ratio of S1319 was 18743, 1858 and 30 times greater than that of isoprenaline, salbutamol and formoterol, respectively. 5. Relaxant responses of guinea-pig trachea to S1319 declined rapidly when the agonist was washed from the tissues, with complete recovery within 30 min. The duration of action of S1319 was similar to that of isoprenaline and less than that of salbutamol and formoterol. 6. In summary, S1319, a sponge-derived beta-adrenoceptor agonist, is a potent and selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist with a short-duration of action in isolated guinea-pig tracheas.     

Partial agonists at guinea-pig atrial beta-adrenoceptors display relaxation responses in the guinea-pig ileum independent of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation

The beta-adrenoceptor mediated responses of oxyfedrine, ritodrine, tazolol, prenalterol, salbutamol and carteolol were examined on guinea-pig left and right atrial and ileal preparations. All agonists tested in left and right atrial preparations were partial agonists relative to isoprenaline. All agonists with the exception of salbutamol, which appeared a full agonist, produced relaxation responses significantly greater than isoprenaline in ileal preparations. The response to ritodrine in the ileum was not influenced by practolol, in a concentration which antagonized the responses of ritodrine in the right atria. The response of the ileum to beta-adrenoceptor antagonists of varying lipophyllicity was examined. Propranolol and pindolol both produced relaxation responses relative to their lipophyllicities. No relaxation was observed to atenolol, which exhibits very low lipophyllicity. It is concluded that beta-adrenoceptor agonists exhibit a substantial relaxation of guinea-pig ileum that is independent of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.     

Capsinolol: the first beta-adrenoceptor blocker with an associated calcitonin gene-related peptide releasing activity in the heart.

1. The beta-adrenoceptor blocking and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-releasing properties of capsinolol (N-[4-(2-hydroxy-3 (isopropylamino) propoxy)-3-methoxybenzyl]-nonanamide), derived from nonivamide, were investigated under in vivo and in vitro conditions. 2. Capsinolol (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg kg-1, i.v.), as well as (+/-)-propranolol, produced a dose-dependent bradycardia response and a temporary pressor action in urethane-anaesthetized normotensive Wistar rats. These cardiovascular effects were different from the vagus reflex and parasympathetic efferent effects shown by capsaicin (0.1 mg kg-1, i.v.) in the rat. 3. Capsinolol (1.0 mg kg-1) inhibited the tachycardia effects induced by (-)-isoprenaline, but had no blocking effect on the arterial pressor responses induced by (-)-phenylephrine. The findings suggest that capsinolol possesses beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity, but it has no alpha-adrenoceptor blocking activity. 4. In guinea-pig isolated tissues, capsinolol (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) antagonized (-)-isoprenaline-induced positive chronotropic and inotropic effects of the atria and tracheal relaxation responses in a concentration-dependent manner. The parallel shift to the right of the concentration-response curve of (-)-isoprenaline suggests capsinolol is a beta-adrenoceptor competitive antagonist. 5. Capsinolol (10(-5) to 10(-4) M) exhibited a positive cardiotonic effect that was not inhibited by (+/-)-propranolol and reserpine, but was inhibited by capsazepine (10(-6) M) and CGRP8-37 (10(-6) M). This effect was independent of intrinsic sympathomimetic effects. 6. An immunoassay of released CGRP from guinea-pig isolated perfused heart indicated that capsinolol increases the release of CGRP and thus produces positive cardiotonic effects. 7. In conclusion, capsinolol is a non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with capsaicin-like cardiotonic properties unrelated to traditional intrinsic sympathomimetic effects. It is suggested that capsinolol causes CGRP release from cardiac sensory neurones via a non-adrenergic mechanism and then activates CGRP receptors on cardiac muscle.     

A study of some propranolol analogues for selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonism using A2 values on isolated trachea and atria from guinea-pig

1 PA2 values for beta-adrenoceptor antagonists were obtained on isolated preparations of guinea-pig trachea (intrinsic tone) and atria (rate), with isoprenaline, noradrenaline (beta 1-selective) and fenoterol (beta 2-selective) as agonists. Uptake mechanisms and alpha-adrenoceptors were inhibited. The antagonists studied were (+/-)-threo-alpha-methylpropranolol. (+/-)-1(4-benzimidazoloxy)-3-isopropylamino-2-propanol (4-BIP) and (+/-)-1-(5-benzimidazoloxy)-3-isopropylamino-2-propanol (5-BIP). 2 4-BIP was a potent beta-adrenoceptor antagonist but it was not selective for trachea (pA2 on trachea 7.88 and on atria 7.73, fenoterol as agonist). 5-BIP was less than one tenth as active as 4-BIP and was therefore not studied in detail. 3 alpha-Methylpropranolol was potent and it was also selective for trachea (pA2 on trachea 8.24 and on atria 7.56, fenoterol as agonist). This selectivity was not seen with isoprenaline as agonist. In tracheal preparations contracted by carbachol the slope of the Schild plot for alpha-methylpropranolol was less than 1.0 (isoprenaline as agonist). 4 alpha-Methylpropranolol, although not highly selective for beta 2-adrenoceptors, is considerably more potent than the alternative beta 2-selective antagonists available at present. Therefore, it may be useful in studies designed to classify beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in tissues.     

The in vitro pharmacology of xamoterol (ICI 118,587).

The effect of xamoterol and (-)-isoprenaline have been compared for their activity at beta-adrenoceptor sites in a number of in vitro cardiac and smooth muscle preparations. Xamoterol produced weak positive chronotropic effects in guinea-pig, rat and cat atria (intrinsic activity less than 0.55, (-)-isoprenaline = 1). Positive inotropic effects were obtained in driven left atria of the cat but were absent in guinea-pig left atrial and right ventricular strip preparations. Agonistic effects were due to beta 1-adrenoceptor stimulation. Xamoterol was without beta-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibitory effects in guinea-pig ileal, tracheal and uterine preparations and in the rat vas deferens and oestrogen-primed uterus. Weak beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation was obtained in progesterone-primed rat uteri. Xamoterol produced non-specific inhibitory effects in guinea-pig ileal and tracheal preparations. Xamoterol acted as a competitive antagonist at beta 1-(pA2 range = 7.4 to 7.8) and beta 2-adrenoceptors (pA2 range 5.2 to 6.2) and displaced [125I]-iodocyanopindolol from guinea-pig left atrial (pKD = 7.25) and uterine (pKD 5.24) membrane preparations. It is concluded that xamoterol displays a selective affinity for beta 1-adrenoceptors. Although its partial agonistic actions are more evident at beta 1-adrenoceptor sites, like prenalterol, xamoterol displays a degree of tissue rather than receptor-dependent selectivity.     

Beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist activities of ICI-215001, a putative beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist.

1. The present study was undertaken to characterize the beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist activity of ICI-215001 and to determine whether it exhibits additional activities on beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors in isolated spontaneously beating atrium, trachea and ileum of guinea-pig. 2. In guinea-pig atrium, isoprenaline, a non-selective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, caused concentration-dependent, positive chronotropic effects that were inhibited by atenolol, a selective beta 1-antagonist. ICI-215001 also competitively antagonized the increase in heart rate caused by isoprenaline. 3. ICI-215001 exhibited low intrinsic activity at increasing the beating rate of atrium and no activity on resting or induced tone of tracheal strips. 4. In strips of guinea-pig trachea, contracted submaximally with carbachol, isoprenaline, caused concentration-dependent relaxations. Both ICI-118551, a selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, and ICI-215001 competitively inhibited the relaxations caused by isoprenaline. 5. In isolated strips of guinea-pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle contracted with histamine, isoprenaline and ICI-215001 caused relaxations which were inhibited by alprenolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with modest affinity for beta 3-adrenoceptors, but were resistant to ICI-118551 and atenolol. 6. These results indicate that ICI-215001 exhibits beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist activity as demonstrated by relaxations mediated via atypical beta-adrenoceptors in the longitudinal smooth muscle of guinea-pig ileum. Further, the studies demonstrate that ICI-215001 can act as an antagonist at beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors in situations where its intrinsic agonist activity is low.     

β-Adrenoceptor blocking properties and cardioselectivity of M & B 17,803A

1. The beta-adrenoceptor blocking properties of (+/-)-1-(2-acetyl-4-n-butyramidophenoxy)-2-hydroxy-3-isopropylaminopropane hydrochloride (M&B 17,803A) have been compared with those of practolol and propranolol in the guinea-pig, cat and dog.2. Following either intravenous or oral administration in the cat or dog, M&B 17,803A and practolol had similar potency in antagonizing isoprenaline-induced tachycardia and both showed cardioselectivity, but both were less potent than propranolol.3. M&B 17,803A and practolol had approximately one hundredth the intravenous potency of propranolol in increasing the severity of anaphylactic bronchospasm in the conscious sensitized guinea-pig.4. M&B 17,803A possessed less marked intrinsic sympathomimetic activity than practolol but, like propranolol, it had significant local anaesthetic properties and increased the refractory period of rabbit isolated atria.     

Pharmacology of 4-hydroxypropranolol, a metabolite of propranolol

1. 4-Hydroxypropranolol, a metabolite produced after oral administration of propranolol, has been shown to be a beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug. It is of similar potency to propranolol in antagonizing the effects of isoprenaline on heart rate and blood pressure in cats and against isoprenaline protection of guinea-pigs from bronchospasm. It is not cardioselective.2. In rats depleted of catecholamine 4-hydroxypropranolol produced an increase in heart rate, suggesting that it has intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.3. In anaesthetized dogs 4-hydroxypropranolol produced a decrease in heart rate and dP/dt and an increase in A-V conduction time at doses within the range 0.09-1.25 mg/kg. These effects are a result of beta-adrenoceptor blockade. In dogs depleted of catecholamines these same doses produced an increase in heart rate and dP/dt and a decrease in A-V conduction time. These responses were antagonized by propranolol, and were due to the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity of the compound. At higher doses (5.25 and 13.25 mg/kg) a further dose dependent decrease in heart rate and dP/dt and an increase in A-V conduction time occurred. This trend was also seen in animals depleted of catecholamines. These changes represent membrane stabilizing activity of 4-hydroxypropranolol.4. 4-Hydroxypropranolol is a potent beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug with both intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and membrane stabilizing activity.     

Stereoselectivity in beta-adrenomimetic and beta-adrenolytic actions of carteolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocker with intrinsic sympathomimetic action in guinea-pig taenia caecum

1. The beta-adrenomimetic and beta-adrenolytic activities of S(-) and R(+) isomers of carteolol, a beta-adrenergic partial agonist (a beta-adrenoceptor blocker with intrinsic sympathomimetic action) were tested in the guinea-pig taenia caecum. 2. The beta-adrenoceptor blocking activities (pA2 values) of S(-) and R(+) isomers of carteolol were significantly larger than the corresponding beta-adrenomimetic activities (pD2 values), supporting our views that beta-adrenoceptors contain two different binding sites; high and low affinity sites. 3. In beta-adrenoceptor blocking action S(-) carteolol was about 10 times as potent as R(+) carteolol while beta-adrenomimetic action of S(-) carteolol was about 2 times as potent as that of R(+) carteolol. Further, intrinsic activity for S(-) carteolol was slightly but significantly larger than that for R(+) carteolol. 4. These results suggest that the binding site for competitive antagonism between S(-) isoprenaline and S(-), R(+) and RS(+/-) carteolol is more stereoselective than the binding site to induce beta-adrenomimetic action.     

Studies on the blood pressure of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, particularly in relation to the mechanism of the pressor action induced by beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs in rats (author's transl)

Several investigators have confirmed that beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs produced a sustained pressor action in anesthetized rats. However, the mechanism of the pressor action has not been sufficiently explored. The following studies were done to further investigate the mechanism. (a) effects of pindolol, carteolol, propranolol, alprenolol, practolol and acebutolol (0.015-0.3 mumole/kg i.v.) on blood pressure of anesthetised rats, b) effects of these drugs on the positive chronotropic action and vasodilation induced by isoprenaline (0.1 microgram/kg i.v.) in anesthetized rats, c) effects of these drugs on the increase in heart rate and contractile force of isolated rat and guinea pig atria induced by isoprenaline, d) effects of these drugs on the relaxation of isolated guinea pig trachea induced by isoprenaline. From these experiments, the magnitude of the pressor action of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs in anesthetized rats was found to be more closely related to the magnitudes of inhibition produced by beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs on isoprenaline-induced relaxation of isolated guinea pig trachea and on isoprenaline-induced vasodilation in anesthetized rats than to those on isoprenaline-induced positive chronotropic and inotropic actions of isolated atria.     

β-Adrenoceptor stimulating properties of para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde

1. Studies on the various isolated tissues indicate that para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) is a beta-adrenoceptor stimulant. DMAB is antagonized by the beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent, MJ 1999, but not by the alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, phentolamine.2. A study of dose-response relationships suggests a competitive interaction between MJ 1999 and DMAB.3. DMAB was about 122 times less potent than isoprenaline on the isolated guinea-pig tracheal preparation. The effects of DMAB on isolated rabbit atria were not only very weak, but were also very brief. On this tissue, DMAB was respectively 72,000 and 55,400 times less active than isoprenaline in producing positive chronotropic and inotropic effects. DMAB caused the relaxation of the guinea-pig taenia coli and the rabbit ileum. These actions were very weak in comparison with those of isoprenaline.4. These results suggest that a compound (DMAB) structurally different from isoprenaline may mimic isoprenaline responses by stimulating beta-adrenoceptors through different mechanisms.     

Effects of three beta-blockers with different pharmacodynamic properties on platelet aggregation and platelet and plasma cyclic AMP

Summary The effects of three different types of beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents on platelet aggregation and on platelet and plasma cyclic AMP content have been studied in 14 patients with mild hypertension given each drug in turn for two weeks. The drugs were a non-selective blocking agent with high intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, pindolol, the nonspecific blocking agent propranolol, and the beta₁-selective metoprolol.The threshold values of ADP and adrenaline for irreversible platelet aggregation were significantly higher for pindolol and metoprolol than for propranolol.The cyclic AMP content of platelets was higher during pindolol and metoprolol than during propranolol treatment. Pindolol produced a substantial increase in plasma cyclic AMP relative to the other two drugs.Thus, platelet aggregation and cyclic AMP formation are influenced by beta-adrenoceptor blockade in proportion to intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and affinity for different beta-adrenoceptor subtypes.     

Effects of (+/-)- (+)- and (-)-metoprolol, (+/-)- (+)- and (-)-pindolol, (+/-)-mepindolol and (+/-)-bopindolol on the rat left atria and portal vein.

1. The effects of (+/-)- (+)- and (-)-metoprolol, (+/-)- (+)- and (-)-pindolol, (+/-)-mepindolol and (+/-)-bopindolol on the beta 1-adrenoceptor mediated responses of the rat left atria and the beta 2-adrenoceptor mediated responses of the rat portal vein to isoprenaline have been determined. 2. Racemic and (-)-metoprolol were selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonists. (+)-Metoprolol was devoid of beta-adrenoceptor antagonistic activity. 3. Racemic and (-)-pindolol were potent and (+)-pindolol was a modest beta-adrenoceptor antagonist. 4. (+/-)-Mepindolol and (+/-)-bopindolol were apparently competitive antagonists of the isoprenaline beta 1-adrenoceptor mediated responses of the rat left atria but non-competitive antagonists of the isoprenaline beta 2-adrenoceptor mediated responses of the rat portal vein. 5. It is suggested that (+/-)-mepindolol and (+/-)-bopindolol are slowly dissociating beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and the non-competitive antagonism can only be detected on tissues with modest receptor reserves for maximum responses to isoprenaline.     

Cardiohemodynamic effects of bopindolol in normotensive conscious dogs. A comparative study with pindolol

Cardiohemodynamic effects and the beta-blocking action of a new beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent, bopindolol (Sandonorm) were compared with those of pindolol in conscious unrestrained dogs. The intravenous injection of pindolol (3-100 micrograms/kg) increased the heart rate and decreased the total peripheral resistance dose-dependently and markedly, while the same doses of bopindolol had no effect on the heart rate and decreased the total peripheral resistance only at the maximum dose (100 micrograms/kg). These changes were antagonized by propranolol (3 mg/kg). Isoprenaline (isoproterenol, 0.1 microgram/kg)-induced tachycardia was inhibited dose-dependently by both beta-blockers to similar degrees. While the decrease in the total peripheral resistance by isoprenaline was inhibited by pindolol dose-dependently, the inhibition by lower doses of bopindolol was not so marked; the inhibition became greater as the doses of bopindolol were increased. These results indicate that bopindolol is a beta 1-selective beta-blocker with an affinity to this subtype of the beta-adrenoceptor comparable to that of pindolol. Unlike pindolol, it exerted no partial agonist activity at the beta-adrenoceptor. Instead it produced the partial agonist activity at the beta 2-adrenoceptor at the highest dose tested.     

Effect of propranolol and pindolol on the up-regulation of lymphocytic beta adrenoceptors during acute submaximal physical exercise. A placebo-controlled double-blind study.

The effect of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, with and without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, on the regulation of lymphocytic beta adrenoceptors during acute physical exercise was studied. Seven healthy volunteers underwent a graded maximal ergometer test after treatment for 7 days with placebo, propranolol (2 x 80 mg/day), or pindolol (2 x 10 mg/day). Each subject received the three types of drug treatment in a double-blind, randomized fashion, with 3 weeks wash-out periods between the on-drug periods. The mean resting density of lymphocytic beta adrenoceptors was 46 +/- 5 fmol/mg protein (mean +/- SEM) during placebo, 53 +/- 5 fmol/mg protein during propranolol, and 29 +/- 4 fmol/mg protein during pindolol treatment (p less than 0.05, pindolol vs. propranolol). Exercise induced a significant up-regulation of the beta-adrenoceptor density during each treatment modality, but the increment was attenuated during propranolol (mean elevation, 16 +/- 2 fmol/mg protein, p less than 0.05) and pindolol intake (13 +/- 4 fmol/mg protein, p less than 0.02) as compared with the placebo value (56 +/- 13 fmol/mg protein). Moreover, exercise-induced increment of lymphocytic cyclic AMP (cAMP) production was virtually abolished by the two beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. In conclusion, administration of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists is associated with a subnormal up-regulation of the lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptors and alterations in their functioning during heavy physical effort. This attenuation is not modified by intrinsic sympathomimetic activity of the compound.     

Beta-adrenoceptor blocking effects of two bopindolol metabolites in isolated guinea-pig atria.

The beta-adrenoceptor blocking effects of the bopindolol (Wandonorm, CAS 62658-63-3) metabolites 18-502 (indole-2,4- methylaminopropoxy(N-tert.butyl)-tartrate) and 20-785 (indole-2,4-carboxyaminopropoxy(N-tert.butyl] were studied in electrically stimulated guinea-pig left atria and in spontaneously beating guinea-pig atria in vitro. Both compounds shifted the concentration-response curve of isoprenaline to the right, but did not reduce the maximum effect of this drug. For compound 20-785, pA2 values of 7.44 (left atrium, inotropic effect) and 7.58 (right atrium, chronotropic effect) were calculated. The metabolite 18-502 had a much greater beta-adrenoceptor blocking potency, as judged from its pA2 values of 9.53 and 9.48, resp., and in the concentration of 10(-8) mol/l it caused a significant flattening of the concentration-response curve of isoprenaline. From these results, compound 20-785 can be classified as a competitive beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, while for higher concentrations of the metabolite 18-502 additional noncompetitive mechanisms of action cannot be excluded.