Effects of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs in hypertensive rats

Antihypertensive effects of three beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, acebutolol, propranolol, and practolol were studied for 11 weeks. Spontaneously (SHR); one-clip, two-kidney (CLIP); and deoxycorticosterone and salt (DOC) hypertensive rats were used. The drugs were given orally, 100 mg/kg per day, 5 days per week before development of hypertension. Propranolol inhibited blood pressure (BP) increase significantly in SHR. Acebutolol and practolol also lowered BP in SHR. Three drugs did not affect BP in CLIP, but an apparent inhibition was seen when the results were analyzed including the cases of which BP stayed below 150 mmHg. Either of three drugs did not show antihypertensive effects in DOC. Acebutolol rather increased BP more rapidly. Practolol also increased BP slightly more rapidly. Cerebral stroke was seen in DOC. The incidences of the stroke in the groups given the solvent, acebutolol, propranolol, and practolol were 3/6, 4/7, 2/6, and 3/6, respectively. Acebutolol seemed to cause stroke earlier with the more rapid BP elevation. Acebutolol, propranolol, and practolol decreased incidence of the vascular disease in CLIP. Propranolol also decreased it in DOC. Plasma renin activity was suppressed by these drugs in SHR and CLIP. The mechanisms of antihypertensive effects of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs are unknown. The present study denies those due to inhibition of cardiac function, or renin release from the kidney. A better experimental model is necessary to study this. The possibility that acebutolol and other beta-blockers might accelerate BP elevation and incidence of stroke must be reexamined.