Early nebivolol treatment is beneficial in myocardial infarction in rats partly through β3‐adrenoceptor remodelling

Abstract

β-blockers have widely proven their efficacy in reducing mortality and inducing reverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling in chronic heart failure (HF) treatment. 1 Nevertheless, the mechanisms leading to better survival are multiple and remain to be studied. The beneficial effects of β-blockers firstly occur in the haemodynamic stage -essentially because of their negative inotropic properties that reduce long-term myocardial oxygen consumption. 2 They also limit sustained β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) stimulation by catecholamines and its side effects (eg β 1 -AR desensitization, cellular loss and fibrosis). 3 Among the heterogeneous therapeutic class of β-blockers, nebivolol presents a specific pharmacological profile that could explain its better tolerability and exercise capacity in HF patients 4 which could make it useful in acute HF. Sorrentino et al 5 demonstrated in a longterm mouse model of infarction that nebivolol is able to improve