title: Atenolol-induced regulation of leukocyte beta 2-adrenoceptors in hypertension.
abstract: beta 2-Adrenoceptor characteristics of human mononuclear leukocytes were assayed in hypertensive patients before and after treatment with 100 mg/day atenolol. While no changes have been observed in receptor affinity, a statistically significant increase (36%) has been demonstrated in receptor density following treatment. Blood pressure and heart rate were also measured in order to test the efficacy of the administered drug. All these parameters showed a fall in the post-treatment values. It is concluded that at therapeutic concentration, beta 2-adrenoceptors undergo up-regulation by atenolol in spite of its cardioselectivity. Such a regulation, which may represent a fundamental step in the mechanism leading to withdrawal syndrome, may, therefore, be suggested being quite widespread.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001262:Atenolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D001262:Atenolol