Bopindolol: pharmacological basis and clinical implications.

Bopindolol, a non-selective antagonist of β 1 - and β 2 -adrenoceptors (ARs), has been found by pharmacological, molecular biological techniques and molecular modeling to have several unique properties. Bopindolol produces sustained blockade of β 1 - and β 2 -ARs, has intrinsic sympathomimetic as well as membrane stabilizing actions, inhibits renin secretion, and interacts with 5-HT receptors. Also, our recent molecular modeling studies identified possible interaction sites between bopindolol and β-AR subtypes. The reviewed studies support our findings that bopindolol is non-selective for β 1 - and β 2 -ARs, has low affinity for β 3 -AR subtype and has pharmacological properties that are likely to be beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.