Effects of beta-adrenergic blocking agents on peripheral vascular resistance.

The effects of the beta-adrenergic blocking agents propranolol, pindolol, atenolol, bunitrolol, and methypranol on the vascular resistance of isolated perfused hindlimbs of rats were investigated. At concentrations of 0.01 µg/ml in the perfusate dl-propranolol und pindolol significantly increased vascular resistance by blockade ofβ2-receptor mediated vasodilatation, whereas atenolol, bunitrolol and methypranol had no effect on peripheral resistance at this concentration. With increasing concentrations up to 10 µg/ml all drugs, with the exception of atenolol, caused vasodilatation.