[Effects of the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol on the carbohydrate- and lipometabolism (author's transl)]

Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed in 17 patients suffering from hyperthyreosis before and after a week of treatment with propranolol. The blood taken until the 125. minute after the glucose load was used for the determination of serum glucose, the free fatty acids (FFA), the free glycerol and the radioimmunologically measurable insulin (IRI). The following results were received: After the treatment with propranolol the glucose tolerance decreased significantly. The insulin secretion was diminished showing a significant difference for the fifth minute after glucose injection. The concentration of the FFA remained unchanged. The levels of the free glycerol were significantly lower after the propranolol treatment than before. Though an inhibition of lipolysis was possible by the propranolol treatment the glucose tolerance did not improve due to the inhibition of insulin secretion under propranolol. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents do not lead to an essential change in the carbohydrate- and lipometobolism. Therefore, their use in hyperthyroidism is mainly justified because of the cardial symptomatology.