title: Alcohol withdrawal changes cardiovascular responses to propranolol challenge.
abstract: The cardiovascular effects and plasma concentrations of a single dose of propranolol (80 mg) were studied non-invasively in alcohol-dependent subjects during alcohol withdrawal (AW) on day 1 and after resolution of withdrawal symptoms on day 10. At the onset of AW, propranolol caused a bradycardic effect which was significantly weakened on day 10. This might result from an increased bioavailability of propranolol on day 1 and from marked sympathetic activity. Propranolol also produced a negative inotropic effect, relatively weaker on day 1 than on day 10, being associated with increased beta-receptor sensitivity towards the final phase of AW. These results suggest that peripheral and central beta-adrenergic systems modulate the cardiovascular system in AW.
authors.affiliation: BioMag Laboratory, Engineering Centre, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kähkönen
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000097:blood; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000431:Ethanol; D011433:Propranolol