Blood pressure lowering effects of antenolol in rats: role of Na-K-ATPase, serum, red cell and tissue electrolytes

ABSTRACT

Beta adrenoceptor blocking drugs have been shown to decrease the incidence of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary artery disease. Although the blood pressure lowering effect of atenolol is studied through hormonal mechanisms. There is no specific study available regarding the role of electrolyte alterations in blood pressure lowering effects of atenolol. The present work was designed to investigate the role of serum, red cell and tissue electrolytes and Na-K-ATPase in blood pressure lowering effects of atenolol [a beta blocking drug]. Rats were divided into two experimental groups. Atenolol [4mg/kg body weight] was administered intraperitoneally to the test group. Control group received same volume of vehicle. Systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced after atenolol administration. An increased membrane Na-K-ATPase activity was observed after atenolol administration. Atenolol treatment decreases sodium and increase potassium in red blood cells. Concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium was increased in serum after atenolol treatment. Atenolol treatment decreases sodium and calcium content in heart and kidney tissues whereas an increased content of potassium was observed in these tissue. The results reported in the present study suggest that apart from hormonal mechanism an alteration in electrolytes levels in red cell, serum, heart and kidney tissues and membrane Na-K-ATPase are associated with the blood pressure lowering effect of atenolol. The role of increased activity of Na-K-ATPase in the changes of sodium and potassium in red cell, serum, kidney and heart tissue after atenolol administration is discussed