Alcohol withdrawal changes cardiovascular responses to propranolol challenge
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1BioMag Laboratory, Engineering Centre, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract:
The cardiovascular effects and plasma concentrations of a single dose of propranolol (80 mg) were studied non-invasively in alcohol-dependent subjects during alcohol withdrawal (AW) on day 1 and after resolution of withdrawal symptoms on day 10. At the onset of AW, propranolol caused a bradycardic effect which was significantly weakened on day 10. This might result from an increased bioavailability of propranolol on day 1 and from marked sympathetic activity. Propranolol also produced a negative inotropic effect, relatively weaker on day 1 than on day 10, being associated with increased beta-receptor sensitivity towards the final phase of AW. These results suggest that peripheral and central beta-adrenergic systems modulate the cardiovascular system in AW.
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