Vasoconstrictors and renal protection induced by beta 1-selective adrenoceptor antagonist bisoprolol.

We investigated the role of the vasoconstrictors endothelin-1 (ET-1) and thromboxane in renal protection by the β 1 -selective adrenoceptor antagonist, bisoprolol, in Dahl salt-sensitive rats (Dahl S) and salt-resistant rats (Dahl R). Six-week bisoprolol treatment (20 mg/kg chow) reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 14% in Dahl S rats fed a high-salt (4% NaCl) diet. This BP reduction was accompanied by a decrease in aortic wall thickness. ET-1 and thromboxane released from renal cortex was significantly decreased by 17 and 30% with bisoprolol, respectively. Other prostaglandin synthesis was unaffected. Renal function such as proteinuria, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was not influenced by bisoprolol