title: [Role of the L-arginine/nitric oxide system in the action of nebivolol].
abstract: Beta-blockers exert their effects through blockade of beta-adrenoceptors. First-generation beta-blockers non-selectively block beta1- and beta2-adrenoceptors, while second-generation beta-blockers predominantly block beta1-adrenoceptors. Third-generation beta-blockers possess additional vasodilator properties. Nebivolol is a highly selective b1-blocker with additional vasodilator effects which are mediated by the endothelial L-arginine/nitric oxide system. The hemodynamic action of nebivolol differs from those of first and second-generation beta-blockers: it acutely decreases peripheral resistance (while first and second-generation beta-blockers cause an initial transient increase in peripheral resistance) and decreases in heart rate that are less pronounced than those evoked by first and second-generation beta-blockers. Beta-blockers are frequently used in the treatment of hypertension, coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure. Nebivolol should thus be a suitable drug for treating these diseases, especially since nitric oxide has vasodilator and anti-atherogenic effects. One long-term trial (the SENIORS study) has shown that nebivolol, compared with a placebo, reduced death and hospital admission in elderly patients with chronic heart failure. Additional studies are needed to investigate the clinical relevance of nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatation and to show if nebivolol is as efficacious as the other beta-blockers--metoprolol, bisoprolol and carvedilol--in the treatment of chronic heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinikum Essen, Klinik für Nieren- und Hochdruckkrankheiten, Institut für Pathophysiologie, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen. otto-erich.brodde@uk-essen.de
authors.forename: O-E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Brodde
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Philipp
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001120:Arginine / Q000502:physiology*; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D000068577:Nebivolol; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001578:Benzopyrans; D004983:Ethanolamines; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068577:Nebivolol; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine