Cerebral blood flow response to propranolol in streptozotocin diabetic rats

The influence of propranolol on cerebral blood flow (CBF) was tested in streptozotocin diabetic rats and in control animals. Resting CBF values were 40% lower in the diabetic rats compared with controls. Intravenous injection of propranolol (2 mg kg-1) decreased CBF significantly in the control group; the CBF decreased for 15 min after propranolol injection and returned to baseline values after 90 min. In the diabetic rats, the CBF declined steadily but this decrease did not reach significance, even after 90 min. Impaired beta-adrenergic mechanisms may be an important factor in the CBF alterations which occur in diabetes mellitus. Further, it is suggested that an impaired CBF response may play a role in CNS lesions in diabetic patients treated with beta antagonists.