Pathophysiological aspects of functional modulation of human peripheral blood neutrophils with propranolol

We studied the effect of β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol on the regulation of spontaneous apoptosis in neutrophils, priming of lipopolysaccharide-treated neutrophils, and expression of neutrophil adhesion factors. The influence of propranolol on apoptosis, adhesion, and generation of oxygen radicals by neutrophils was shown to be an additional mechanism of the action of β-adrenoceptor antagonists. This pathophysiological mechanism probably mediates the effect of neuroendocrine transmitters and explains the role of adrenergic antagonists in the pathogenesis and therapy of inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and bronchial asthma. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2006.