Effects of metoprolol and propranolol on furosemide-stimulated renin release in healthy subjects

Summary The effects of single doses of the beta₁-receptor antagonist metoprolol (40 mg orally), propranolol (40 mg orally) and placebo were compared on furosemide-stimulated plasma renin activity (PRA) in seven healthy subjects. In the placebo studies, PRA increased by 0.59±0.18 ng×ml^–1×h^–1 60 minutes after intravenous administration of 30–60 mg furosemide. After propranolol and metoprolol, the corresponding increases in PRA were significantly less pronounced amounting to 0.16±0.06 and 0.24±0.08 ng×ml^–1×h^–1, respectively. The resting heart rate was reduced to the same extent after the two beta-blockers, which means that the two drugs had been given in equipotent beta₁-receptor blocking doses. It is suggested that the release of renin from the kidney may partly be mediated via an adrenergic beta₁-receptor.Metoprolol (piNN)=H 93/26=CGP 2175