Adrenoreceptors and renal function

The effects of beta- and alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade on renal function are reviewed briefly, and a detailed analysis of the effects of labetalol, an antihypertensive drug that blocks both alpha and beta adrenoreceptors, is presented. In most published studies, no significant change in any parameter of renal function is seen during labetalol therapy. Data from our institution are presented in detail demonstrating the effects of labetalol on renal function in 17 patients with either normal renal function or varying degrees of renal impairment. No consistent change in glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, filtration fraction, maximal concentrating ability, or free-water clearance is observed. Renal vascular resistance tends to fall in those patients with relatively normal renal function and tends to change inconsistently in patients with more impaired renal function. Labetalol appears, in summary, to have little negative impact on renal function.