The effect of propranolol on myocardial oxidative processes.

The effect of single i. v. dosis of propranolol, 1.5 mg/kg of body weight, on the oxidative processes in rabbit myocardium at the mitochondrial level was investigated. Analyses were carried out at minutes 0 and 15 after intravenous infusion of propranolol. Under the influence of propranolol the mitochondrial oxygen uptake was reduced. This finding reveals the metabolic background of the antianginal effect of propranolol. Simultaneously, however, the mitochondrial metabolic efficiency was negatively affected, as manifested by decreases in mitochondrial respiration control, oxidative phosphorylation, and phosphorylation rate. The described changes signalize a disturbance in myocardial energy production and represent a subcellular metabolic background of potential myocardial damage during administration of propranolol.