Effects of propranolol on changes in heart rate, heart weight, kidney weight, urinary hydroxyproline and weight gain induced by large doses of thyroxine in the rat.

The effects of the beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, DL-propranolol, and of the antithyroid drug, carbimazole, upon some manifestations of thyroxine (T4)-induced changes in peripheral metabolism were studied in rats. Propranolol lowered the heart rate, but did not alter the following changes induced by T4: increment in heart rate, increase in heart or kidney weight, increase in urinary hydroxyproline, decrease in body weight gain or increase in serum T4. Carbimazole administration lowered serum T4 and reduced weight gain, but had no effect upon heart rate or hydroxyproline excretion.