Nitric-oxide-mediated relaxations in salt-induced hypertension: effect of chronic beta1 -selective receptor blockade.

Background: Nebivolol is a new beta1-selective adrenergic receptor antagonist with a direct vasorelaxant effect that involves activation of the l-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway. Therefore, treatment with nebivolol may protect against endothelial injury in hypertension.

Objective: To investigate whether chronic selective beta1-blockade with nebivolol could prevent endothelial dysfunction in salt-induced hypertension, and to compare it with atenolol.