Oxygen Affinity in Red Cells: Changes Induced in vivo by Propranolol

Abstract
Propranolol, a blocking agent for the beta adrenergic receptor, produces a redistribution of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in the red cell. At concentrations of 3.3 × 10 -5 M , 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in the red cell membrane becomes unbound in vitro. The administration of propranolol to humans produces similar changes and results in a decrease in the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.