title: Inhibition of metabolic responses to surgery with beta-adrenergic blockade.
abstract: Glucose, lactate, non-esterified fatty acid and insulin levels in plasma were measured in two groups of 12 patients undergoing gastrectomy under general anaesthesia. Propranolol in a dose of 0.3 mg/kg body weight was intraoperatively infused in one of the two groups. Surgery under general anaesthesia elicited a significant rise in blood glucose, lactate and NEFA concentrations. These metabolic responses were significantly inhibited by intraoperative infusion of propranolol without producing any undesirable side effect. Plasma insulin levels showed a slight decrease during the operation and no significant difference was noted between the two groups. The results suggest that beta-adrenergic activity is playing a major role in these metabolic responses, promoting the mobilization of substrates. Possible benefits of inhibiting beta-adrenergic activation in surgical stress are discussed.
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008660:Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D007773:Lactates; D011433:Propranolol