Therapeutic dose of nebivolol, a nitric oxide-releasing β-blocker, reduces atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

What is the role, if any, for beta-blockers as initial therapy for uncomplicated hypertension?

“…Antioxidant effects of vasodilating beta-blockers have also been observed in cholesterol-fed rabbits, with nebivolol inducing a consistent increase of endothelial reactivity and aortic eNOS expression compared with control animals (P < 0.05) and those receiving carvedilol (P < 0.05) [55]. Moreover, the oxidative stress induced in human umbilical vein endothelial cells with oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was reversed by nebivolol, but not by atenolol, via downregulation of genes involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis [56].…”

Nitric Oxide Signalling in Vascular Control and Cardiovascular Risk

“…Nebivolol -a NO-releasing beta-blocker induced a consistent increase of aortic eNOS expression rabbits receiving high-cholesterol diet (de Nigris et al, 2008). NO-releasing Snitrosothiol-modified xerogels are capable of generating NO for up to 2 weeks (Riccio et al, 2009).…”

Nebivolol regulates eNOS and iNOS expressions and alleviates oxidative stress in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

“…Nebivolol was suspended in 0.5% aqueous solution of carboxymethyl cellulose for oral administration. The doses of nebivolol were chosen on the basis of previous studies (Mollnau et al, 2003;de Groot et al, 2004;de Nigris et al, 2008).…”