The effects of propranolol and digoxin on the acute vascular responses to frusemide in normal man

To examine the importance of acute frusemide-induced renin release in the production of the acute peripheral venous and arterial responses to frusemide in man, the effects of two drugs, previously described as inhibitors of acute frusemide-induced renin release, propranolol and digoxin, were examined. Propranolol abolished the acute increases in venous capacitance and blood pressure and attenuated the increases in forearm vascular resistance produced by frusemide. The acute increases in plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentrations were also abolished. Pre-treatment with digoxin had no effect on the acute peripheral vascular responses to frusemide and failed to inhibit the acute increases in plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone produced by frusemide. The study provides further evidence of a relationship between acute frusemide-induced renin release and the acute peripheral vascular effects of frusemide in man.