Comparison of the actions of acebutolol, practolol and propranolol on calcium transport by heart microsomes and mitochondria.

1 The effects of acebutolol, practolol and propranolol (0,5-3 mM) on calcium uptake, calcium binding and ATPase activities of the rabbit and rat heart microsomal and mitochondrial fractions were investigated. 2 Dose-response and time course experiments revealed that propranolol greatly inhibited microsomal and mitochondrial calcium uptake whereas both acebutolol and practolol showed slight depressant effects. 3 The ATPase activities of microsomal and mitochondrial fractions were decreased by acebutolol, practolol and propranolol; however, the latter agent was more effective than the other two. 4 The inhibitory effects of acebutolol, practolol and propranolol on mitochondria and microsomes were not antagonized by adrenaline. 5 Propranolol decreased calcium binding by the microsomal fraction only, whereas acebutolol and practolol had no effect on microsomal or mitochondrial calcium binding. 6 The sensitivity of the rabbit heart subcellular fractions to the beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs was similar to that of the rat heart; however, the calcium uptake and ATPase activities of microsomes were more sensitive to propranolol than mitochondria in both species. 7 Perfusion of rat hearts with 0.2-1 mM propranolol decreased contractile force, and microsomal and mitochondrial fractions obtained from these hearts accummulated less calcium in comparison to the control. On the other hand, acebutolol and practolol (0.2-1nM) had no appreciable effects on contractile force or subcellular fractions under similar conditions. 8 The negative inotropic effect of propranolol may partly be due to its inhibitory actions on calcium transport by subcellular organelles of the myocardium; the depressant action of propranolol on calcium transport is unlikely to be due to its beta-adrenoceptor blocking property.