Influence of local β-adrenoceptor blockade on exchange of fat and glucose in the human leg after surgery

Summary. The metabolic effects of the local administration of propranolol were determined in seven patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Measurements were carried out in the early postoperative period before and after infusion of 2 mg of intraarterial propranolol into the femoral artery of one leg using the other leg as control. Blood flow and arterio-venous concentration differences for oxygen, glucose, lactate, alanine, glycerol and total FFAs were determined. Uptake and release of FFAs were determined by using a tracer technique. The statistical analyses were based on differences between the test and the control leg in changes following the blockade. Glycerol release was significantly more suppressed in the test leg than in the control leg. No difference between the legs was seen in the uptake of oxygen, FFA and glucose or the release of lactate and alanine. The arterial concentration of propranolol was 6·07 ± 0·72 ng ml^-1 (mean ± SEM). This study indicates that a local β-blockade by intra-arterial propranolol infusion after surgery slightly reduces the postoperative lipolysis in leg tissues but does not influence or only marginally influences leg blood flow and oxygen uptake or the exchange of glucose, lactate and alanine after moderate surgical trauma.