title: Influence of propranolol on weight and salt and water homoeostasis in chronic liver disease.
abstract: Sixteen patients with chronic liver disease were treated with propranolol or placebo in a double-blind study. Skinfold thickness, total body water and exchangeable sodium, and urinary sodium were measured every 6 months for a year; body weight was measured every 2 (later every 3) months for 15 months. Propranolol treatment was associated with a significant rise in body weight after 9 months and significant rises in skinfold thickness and body fat after 12 months. Propranolol-treated patients showed a fall in total body water at 6 months and a rise in urinary sodium concentration at 12 months. They did not show the rise in total body exchangeable sodium that occurred in placebo-treated patients. Propranolol seems to affect salt and water homoeostasis favourably in patients with chronic liver disease.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine; D013997:Time Factors; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium; D011433:Propranolol