Effect of propranolol on cyclic AMP excretion and plasma renin activity in labile essentrial hypertension

Labile hypertension is often associated with elevated cardiac output, increased plasma renin activity (PRA) and urinary cyclic AMP excretion in response to upright posture and to isoproterenol. The beta-blocking agent propranolol was demonstrated to be an effective therapeutic agent in this condition. The effect of posture on cyclic AMP, PRA, pulse rate and blood pressure was therefore studied during the administration of propranolol and a placebo in patients with labile hypertension. With the patient on placebo, upright posture induced an increase in pulse rate, cyclic AMP excretion and PRA. Propranolol administration decreased the recumbent and upright blood pressures, pulse rate and PRA. Cyclic AMP excretion remained unchanged in the recumbent position but the postural increase was abolished. No appreciable changes in catecholamine excretion occurred during propranolol administration. Propranolol normalizes some humoral as well as hemodynamic abnormalities of labile hypertension and therefore may be of benefit in long-term treatment and possibly also in the prevention of stable hypertension.