Effects of propranolol on aldosterone plasma concentration and aldosterone metabolic clearance in hypertensive patients

Although propranolol administration produces a lowering of PRA, PAC does not decrease in a similar fashion. In the present study the effects of propranolol on the aldosterone MCR were examined. Eight patients with essential hypertension were studied while receiving treatment with a diuretic and again after propranolol (160 to 320 mg/day) was added to the therapeutic regimen. Propranolol therapy was associated with a 25% decrease in PRA (p less than 0.05) and changes in PACs that were variable but not significantly different from diuretic therapy alone. The aldosterone MCR decreased from 1420 +/- 120 to 1120 +/- 90 L/24 hr in response to propranolol (p less than 0.01). The average production rate of aldosterone (MCR X PAC) did not change after propranolol treatment despite a decrease in PRA. There were no changes in plasma concentrations of potassium or in ACTH secretion (as reflected by levels of cortisol) to explain a role for propranolol to sustain aldosterone secretion. Thus propranolol administered to hypertensive patients pretreated with a diuretic can affect circulating levels of aldosterone apart from changes in PRA. Propranolol therapy produces a moderate reduction in aldosterone MCR and appears to augment aldosterone production by a mechanism exclusive of known stimuli.