Effects of the beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551 on exercise tachycardia and isoprenaline-induced beta-adrenoceptor responses in man.

ICI 118,551, 5 to 80 mg orally, did not significantly alter resting heart rate or blood pressure. In doses less than 40 mg the reduction in exercise tachycardia was under 10 beats/min. ICI 118,551, 10 to 40 mg, did not appear to reduce the maximum rise in systolic pressure with isoprenaline but did attenuate the changes in diastolic pressure, forearm blood flow and finger tremor. It also attenuated the isoprenaline-induced changes in serum glucose, insulin and potassium. On these observed changes, the effect of ICI 118,551 20 mg was similar to that of 40 mg and of propranolol 10 mg, but greater than that of atenolol 25 mg. An isoprenaline tachycardia was attenuated by all doses of ICI 118,551 studied. After atropine (0.04 mg/kg) ICI 118,551 20 mg still significantly reduced the effects of isoprenaline suggesting that functional beta 2-adrenoceptors may be present in the human heart. In doses less than 40 mg, ICI 118,551 appears to be a selective and competitive antagonist of beta 2-adrenoceptors in man.