Oxygen affinity in red cells: changes induced in vivo by propranolol

Propranolol, a blocking agent for the beta adrenergic receptor, produces a redistribution of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in the red cell. At concentrations of 3.3 x10(-5)M, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in the red cell membrane becomes unbound in vitro. The administration of propranolol to hunmns produces similar changes and results in a decrease in the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.