The effects of atenolol and propranolol upon lipolysis.

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Abstract
1 The effects of selective and non‐selective beta‐adrenoceptor blockade upon plasma non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations in the fasting state and following insulin stress have been studied in normal subjects. 2 Atenolol, propranolol and placebo were compared in a double‐ blind cross‐over trial in eight normal subjects. 3 Atenolol and propranolol significantly lowered plasma non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations by a similar degree in the fasting, non‐stressed state. This finding suggests that beta1‐adrenoceptors are involved in the control of basal lipolysis. 4 Following insulin‐induced stress, lower plasma non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations were observed with propranolol than with atenolol. This difference may be due to beta2‐ adrenoceptor involvement in the stress mechanisms controlling lipolysis, or to the differences in the water‐lipid solubility properties of these drugs.