Metabolic effects of prenalterol in diabetic patients

In 16 non-diabetic and 16 diabetic patients prenalterol, dobutamine and dopamine infusions (5 micrograms/kg/min for 30 min) were given. The haemodynamic and metabolic changes were similar in diabetics and non-diabetics. Prenalterol has the most pronounced haemodynamic effect on heart rate (increase 25-47%) and the heart rate-blood pressure-product (increase 54-81%). The metabolic effects were moderate. The slight lipolytic effect of prenalterol documented its functional selectivity for beta 1-adrenoceptors.