In vitro activity of RO363, a beta1-adrenoceptor selective agonist

1 The beta-adrenoceptor stimulant effects of RO363 and (--)-isoprenaline have been compared in a variety of isolated tissue preparations. 2 RO363 is approximately half as potent as (--)-isoprenaline in tissues where actions are due to beta1-receptor activation (guinea-pig atrial and ileal preparations and ventricular strips from the rabbit, rat and guinea-pig. 3 In uterine and lung strip preparations from the guinea-pig, where responses are due to beta2-receptor stimulation. RO363 is 100 to 350 times less active than (--)-isoprenaline and has a low intrinsic activity. 4 In spontaneously contracted tracheal preparations from the guinea-pig, RO363 is a full agonist and is approximately half as potent as (--)-isoprenaline. These effects of RO363 are due to the activation of a population of beta1-receptors in the tissue since RO363 and (--)-isoprenaline have the same relative potencies in trachea, cardiac and ileal preparations. In addition the Kb values for practolol are similar in all these preparations when RO363 is used as the agonist. 5 The results show that RO363 is a potent and highly selective beta1-receptor agonist.