β-Adrenoceptor Blockade Does Not Modify Gastrointestinal Transit Time in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

The effect of non-selective β-adrenoceptor blockade on gastrointestinal transit time (GITT) was measured in 20 healthy volunteers with a radiographic method. By means of double-blind, crossover technique, each subject was studied during treatment with 80 mg oral propranolol or placebo twice daily for 7 days. The number of radiopaque markers retained in the alimentary tract did not differ significantly between the placebo and the propranolol periods. The mean GITT for placebo was 78 h and for propranolol 77 h. During propranolol treatment the heart rate and blood pressure were significantly decreased. It is concluded that non-selective β-adrenoceptor blockade does not influence human gastrointestinal transit time under unstrained conditions.

Key Words:

• β-Adrenergic blockade
• gastrointestinal transit time
• propranolol