Characterization of the beta-adrenoceptor of the adipose cell of the rat.

The dose-response curves of the beta-adrenergic agonists isoprenaline (mixed beta 1 and beta 2), prenalterol (beta 1-selective), noradrenaline (more beta 1 than beta 2) and salbutamol (beta 2-selective) were studied on adipose cells of the rat, in vitro. The observed lipolytic potencies were in the order: isoprenaline greater than noradrenaline greater than salbutamol greater than prenalterol. The effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists betaxolol (beta 1-selective) propranolol (non-selective) and ICI 118551 (beta 2-selective) on lipolysis stimulated by the various beta-adrenergic agonists showed that in each case propranolol was the most potent blocking agent. These observations are not compatible with the concept that regulation of lipolysis in adipose tissue is mediated exclusively either by adrenergic receptors of the classical beta 1 type, or of the classical beta 2 type. We propose therefore, that this beta-adrenergic receptor, because of its non-compliance with the current classification system, be termed a 'beta-3' or beta-hybrid' adrenoceptor. Thus cardio-selective beta-adrenergic blocking agents, like betaxolol, may offer a hitherto unrecognized clinical advantage in obese patients undergoing anti-hypertensive therapy by offering a reduced impediment to hormone-induced utilization of calorie stores in adipose tissue.