Pharmacological mechanisms of clinically favorable properties of a selective beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist, nebivolol.

Nebivolol is a racemic mixture of d- and l-enantiomers. The drug is characterized by beta(1)-adrenoceptor selectivity and long-acting beta-blockade exerted predominantly by d-enantiomer. Nebivolol is devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and has no relevant membrane stabilizing action. Antiproliferative properties of nebivolol were demonstrated in endothelial and smooth muscle cell cultures. Infusion of nebivolol causes a vasodilation in all vascular beds by endothelial-dependent mechanism involving stimulation of beta(3)-adrenoceptors as well as by endothelial-independent mechanism. Nebivolol possesses not only direct vasodilator properties but also augments the action of endothelium-dependent vasodilators. The antioxidant property of nebivolol can at least in part explain why treatment with this drug enhances eNOS activity and minimizes the reperfusion-induced myocardial injury. The systemic effects of nebivolol in humans have an unusual hemodynamic profile. In contrast to traditional beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, nebivolol reduces preload and afterload due to systemic vasodilation and improves arterial distensibility. At 5 mg daily nebivolol effectively reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure over a 24-h period. During treatment with nebivolol arterial pressure follows the natural circadian rhythm. Trough-to-peak ratio for nebivolol is 0.9. It has been demonstrated in numerous placebo-controlled studies that exercise tolerance is not reduced during nebivolol therapy. By chronic administration to patients with left ventricular dysfunction nebivolol increases myocardial contractility. Nebivolol produced no significant changes in lipid levels, insulin sensitivity or glucose tolerance. These findings make nebivolol a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of arterial hypertension and chronic heart failure.