Metabolic effects of prenalterol in healthy volunteers

The effect of the beta 1-adrenoceptor agonist prenalterol on the metabolic parameters glucose, lactate, free fatty acids and serum-insulin were studied in 8 healthy volunteers. Prenalterol was administered intravenously in geometrically increasing doses from 5 to 80 micrograms/kg. The only metabolic effect of prenalterol that could be proved was a significant dose-dependent rise in FFA-concentration. The stimulating effect of prenalterol on lipolysis was significant not only at the time points of maximal effect following each injection, but also 30 min later. Serum-insulin-concentration and glucose- and lactate-concentration failed, however, to show a significant rise after prenalterol administration. This behaviour is a strong indication of a beta 1-selectivity of prenalterol over the whole dose range given.