Cardioprotection, attenuated systemic inflammation, and survival benefit of β1-adrenoceptor blockade in severe sepsis in rats

Abstract

Objective: To explore the hypothesis that beta-1 adrenoreceptor blockade may be protective through the attenuation of sympathetic hyperactivity and catecholaminergic inflammatory effects on cardiac and hepatic function. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Setting: Animal laboratory in a university medical center. Subjects: Male adult Wistar rats. Interventions: Peripheral β1-adrenoceptor blockade through daily intraperitoneal injection (metoprolol, 100 mg•kg; atenolol, 6 mg•kg) or central nervous system β1-adrenoceptor blockade (intracerebroventricular metoprolol, 25 μg) to achieve ∼20% heart rate reduction in rats for 2 days before or after the induction of lethal endotoxemia..