Effects of ICI 141,292 on exercise tachycardia and isoprenaline-induced beta-adrenoceptor responses in man

The beta-adrenoceptor blocking properties and cardioselectivity of ICI 141, 292 were investigated in healthy male subjects. Seven subjects received in random order oral doses of ICI 141,292 20, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg, atenolol 50 and 100 mg and placebo. ICI 14 292 had no effect on supine heart rate which was reduced by atenolol 100 mg. ICI 141,292 50, 100 and 200 mg had no effect on standing heart rate which was reduced by 400 mg at 2 h. Both doses of atenolol caused greater reductions. The maximum percent reduction of an exercise tachycardia after ICI 141,292 200 mg (23.9 +/- 3.7%) and 400 mg (24.3 +/- 5.2%) were similar to atenolol 50 mg (27.3 +/- 4.7%) but less than atenolol 100 mg (30.8 +/- 2.9%) (P less than 0.02). Six subjects received in random order single oral doses of ICI 141,292 100, 200 and 400 mg, atenolol 50 mg, propranolol 40 mg and placebo. Following each dose each subject received graded infusions of isoprenaline sulphate until heart rate increased by 40 beats min-1. Dose-response curves were constructed for the changes in heart rate, finger tremor, blood pressure and forearm blood flow produced by each infusion. At the 4 micrograms min-1 dose of isoprenaline, ICI 141,292 200 mg caused more attenuation than atenolol 50 mg but less than propranolol 40 mg in the changes of heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and finger tremor (P less than 0.02). ICI 141,292 400 mg caused more attenuation of the changes of all parameters than atenolol 50 mg but less attenuation of the changes in diastolic blood pressure and finger tremor than propranolol 40 mg (P less than 0.02). These results indicate that ICI 141,292 is a cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with partial agonist activity.