Attenuation of hypertension, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis by beta-adrenoceptor blockers in rats under long-term blockade of nitric oxide synthesis.

The effects of propranolol and atenolol were investigated on arterial hypertension, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and ventricular ischaemic lesions induced by an 8-week treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 20 mg/rat per day) in Wistar rats. Propranolol and atenolol (30 mg/rat per day each) were given in the drinking water concomitantly to L-NAME. Treatment with L-NAME induced marked arterial hypertension and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, both of which were significantly reduced by propranolol and atenolol.