Inhibition of Lymphocyte Capping and Transformation by Propranolol and Related Compounds

Abstract

1 The effects of propranolol on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)induced transformation of murine T lymphocytes and capping of anti-IgG on the surface of murine B lymphocytes have been examined. 2 A 50% inhibition of transformation was observed with 10-5 M propranolol, whereas a higher concentration, of the order of 10 -M propranolol was required to inhibit capping by 50%. The (+ ) and (-)-isomers of propranolol proved equipotent in these respects, and the relative potencies of selected analogues of propranolol (alprenolol, oxprenolol, metoprolol, practolol and sotalol) coincided with their potencies as membrane stabilizers; however, lymphocyte transformation was consistently more sensitive than capping.3 Similar effects were also seen with quinidine, chlorpromazine and lignocaine, and it was concluded that the inhibition of both lymphocyte functions was due to the membrane stabilizing actions of propranolol.

Noradrenaline receptors participate in the regulation of GABAergic inhibition in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus.

“…Depending on the experimental model, the concentration at which this membrane stabilizing effect becomes evident varies between 10-5 M (Anderton, Axford, Cohn, Marshall, Sprake, 1981) and 10-3 M (Seeman, 1972). D-Propranolol has the same membrane stabilizing effect as the L-isomer (Barrett & Cullum, 1968;Anderton et al 1981), but is 100 times less potent as a f-receptor blocker (Barrett & Cullum, 1968). shift of the orthodromic and antidromic input-output curves (Fig.…”