DIFFERENTIAL INHIBITION OF LIPOLYSIS IN HUMAN ADIPOSE-TISSUE BY ADRENERGIC BETA-RECEPTOR BLOCKING-DRUGS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 200  (3) , 598-605
Abstract
The effects of various adrenergic .beta.-receptor agonists and antagonists on lipolysis (measured as glycerol release) in human adipose tissue in vitro were studied. Of the agonists investigated, the potency rank order was isoproteronol > norepinephrine > salbutamol. Adrenergic .beta.-receptor blocking drugs inhibited catecholamine-induced lipolysis competitively. Propranolol was the overall most effective compound, followed by metoprolol, alprenolol and practolol, whereas butoxamine and H35/25 [3-isopropylamino-1-[4-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenoxy]propan-2-ol hydrochloride] were weak inhibitors. The adrenergic receptor mediating lipolysis in human adipose tissue appears to be of type .beta.-1. Basal and theophylline-induced lipolysis was reduced when higher concentrations of these drugs were used.