A comparison of the bronchoconstrictor and beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity of propranolol and acebutolol.

The bronchoconstrictor and beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity of (+/-)-propranolol, acebutolol and two of its analogues were compared in a group of littermate rats. Whilst the analogues of acebutolol had similar bronchoconstrictor potency to propranolol, acebutolol had considerably less activity. No correlation could be found between the degree of bronchoconstriction produced by the four drugs and their beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity in the airway smooth muscle. Acebutolol and its analogues show a wide properties could be related to the production of bronchospasm.