Stabilization of lysosomes in anoxic myocardium by propranolol.

1. Isolated hearts of guinea-pigs were perfused aerobically and anoxically for 60 min. (+/-)-Propranolol was added to the perfusion medium in concentrations ranging from 10 ng to 10 microgram/ml. 2. Lysosome stability was assessed by measurements of latent acid hydrolase activity in homogenates of left ventricular tissue. 3. In the absence of propranolol, the integrity of the myocardial lysosomes was considerably reduced after 60 min anoxia. Lysosome stability was enhanced by the presence of (+/-)-propranolol. The optimal concentration was found to be 0.1 microgram/ml. This concentration of the (+)-isomer alone was less effective. 4. It was concluded that beta-adrenoceptor blockade was the major mechanism by which lysosome disruption was prevented but that some direct membrane effect of propranolol may also be involved.