Antihypertensive activity of a propranolol analog (ORF 12,592) in rodents.

Studies were carried out to determine the antihypertensive effects of the 5-hydroxy derivative (ORF 12,592) of propranolol. Acute administration of ORF 12,592 produced a reduction in mean systolic blood pressure in desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) rats and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Propranolol was not effective in DOCA rats and produced a significant blood pressure reduction in SHR 48 hr after acute administration. These results demonstrated antihypertensive activity of an analog of propranolol and support the concept that the antihypertensive effects of propranolol may be mediated through a metabolite.