Propranolol withdrawal supersensitivity in rat cardiovascular tissue, in vitro

The purpose of the present study was to determine if propranolol withdrawal supersensitivity could be demonstrated under in vitro conditions. Rats pretreated for 14 days with propranolol were studied 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after propranolol withdrawal. Right atria, right ventricle strips and thoracic aortic strips were isolated for study under in vitro conditions. Dose-response curves and geometric mean ED50 values revealed the presence of supersensitivity to the chronotropic and inotropic effects of isoproterenol in vitro at 72 and 96 h after withdrawal. No change in sensitivity was found 24 or 48 h after propranolol cessation. In like manner, supersensitivity to the vasorelaxant action of isoproterenol was demonstrated in aortic strips precontracted with angiotensin II at 72 and 96 h after propranolol withdrawal. In contrast, subsensitivity to the contractile actions of methoxamine was observed 48 h after withdrawal. These data indicate that chronic propranolol pretreatment and withdrawal results in the unmasking of supersensitivity to both beta 1 and beta 2 adrenoceptor stimulation. There would also appear to be a compensatory change in alpha-adrenoceptor-induced responses in rat aorta following propranolol withdrawal.