Effect of propranolol on hypophosphatemia in overweight

A negative correlation was found in 54 hypertensive overweight patients between the excess body weight and the level of serum inorganic phosphorus. The effect of propranolol upon the serum concentration of phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in 20 of the above mentioned patients as well as in five normal weight, normotensive subjects was studied. After 10 d of treatment with propranolol (160-240 mg/24 h) the concentration of serum phosphate rose from 0.76 +/- 0.02 mmol/l to 0.98 +/- 0.06 mmol/l (P less than 0.02) in the 20 overweight hypertensive patients and remained unchanged in the five control subjects with initial normal phosphate levels. No propranolol induced changes of other serum electrolytes was noted. There is no obvious explanation of the above mentioned findings. An increased uptake of glucose and inorganic phosphate by the enlarged adipose tissue and an impairment of this mechanisms by propranolol might be however suggested.