Effects of bevantolol HCl on immobilization stress-induced hypertension and central beta-adrenoceptors in rats.

Effects of chronic treatment with bevantolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocker, and of repeated immobilization stress on blood pressure, body weight, and [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding to the cerebral cortex were examined in rats. Systolic blood pressure increased to approximately 150 mmHg when stress was applied for 14 days (2 h day-1). This increase was inhibited by chronic treatment with bevantolol (250 mg kg-1 daily). However, bevantolol did not suppress the inhibition of body weight gain by stress. The maximum number of [3H]DHA binding sites (Bmax) in the cerebral cortex was decreased by stress without changing the affinity, and the decrease in Bmax mainly reflected the reduction of beta 1-adrenoceptors. Bevantolol treatment (250 mg kg-1) increased the Bmax to 137% and completely inhibited the downregulation of beta-adrenoceptors by stress. These results show that bevantolol can inhibit both the hypertension and downregulation of the central beta 1-adrenoceptors induced by stress.