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Differential effects of carvedilol and atenolol on plasma noradrenaline during exercise in humans

Rahmatina B Herman1, Peter J Jesudason, Ali M Mustafa

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Andalas, Indonesia.

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|February 13, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Carvedilol, a beta-blocker, significantly reduced plasma noradrenaline during exercise in healthy volunteers, unlike atenolol. This sympathoinhibitory effect may benefit heart failure patients by reducing adrenergic stimulation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pharmacology
  • Adrenergic Signaling
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Beta-blockers improve outcomes in heart failure.
  • Different beta-blockers have distinct pharmacological profiles.
  • Carvedilol's alpha-blocking activity may influence sympathetic response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of carvedilol and atenolol on plasma noradrenaline during exercise.
  • To investigate the hypothesis that carvedilol blunts noradrenaline release via presynaptic beta2-adrenergic receptor blockade.

Main Methods:

  • Double-blind, randomized crossover study in 12 healthy males.
  • 2-week pretreatment with carvedilol (25 mg/day) or atenolol (50 mg/day).
  • Plasma noradrenaline measured at rest and during treadmill exercise.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in hemodynamics between groups.
  • Carvedilol significantly blunted the exercise-induced increase in plasma noradrenaline.
  • Atenolol did not significantly alter plasma noradrenaline levels during exercise.

Conclusions:

  • Carvedilol exhibits a sympathoinhibitory effect by blunting exercise-induced noradrenaline release.
  • This effect may contribute to carvedilol's benefits in heart failure.
  • Atenolol lacks this specific sympathoinhibitory action during exercise.
Abstract

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