Adrenergic receptor effects and antihypertensive actions of beta-adrenoceptor-blocking agents with ancillary properties.

The acute antihypertensive effects and possible underlying mechanisms of 3 beta-adrenergic-blocking drugs with alpha-blocking activity, i.e. labetalol, drugs with alpha-blocking activity, i.e. labetalol, nipradilol and arotinolol, were studied in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and compared with the effects of prazosin, propranolol and hydralazine. Prazosin produced a dose-dependent antihypertensive effect which paralleled inhibition of the pressor response to phenylephrine. Labetalol (30 mg/kg), nipradilol (30 and 100 mg/kg) and arotinolol (30 and 100 mg/kg) also produced a fall in blood pressure. However, inhibition of the pressor response to phenylephrine was not seen in association with the antihypertensive effect after the lower dose of nipradilol and arotinolol. Propranolol (100 mg/kg) did not lower blood pressure. These results suggest that a mechanism(s) other than an alpha-adrenergic-blocking effect plays a role in the acute antihypertensive effects produced by the lower dose of nipradilol and arotinolol.