Antioxidant activity of β-blockers: An effect mediated by scavenging reactive oxygen and nitrogen species?

The therapeutic effects of β-blockers are normally explained by their capacity to block the β-adrenoceptors, however, some of the beneficial cardiovascular effects shown by this group of compounds have already been associated with the antioxidant properties that some of them seem to possess. The β-blockers atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol, and carvedilol were tested for their putative scavenging activity for ROS (O2−, H2O2, HO, HOCl, and ROO) and RNS (NO and ONOO−). Some of the studied compounds are effective ROS and/or RNS scavengers, these effects being possibly useful in preventing oxidative damage verified in hypertension as well as in other cardiovascular diseases that frequently emerge in association with oxidative stress.

The β-blockers atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol, and carvedilol were tested for their putative scavenging activity for ROS (O2−, H2O2, HO, HOCl, and ROO) and RNS (NO and ONOO−). Some of the studied compounds are effective ROS and/or RNS scavengers, these effects being possibly useful in preventing oxidative damage verified in hypertension as well as in other cardiovascular diseases that frequently emerge in association with oxidative stress.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide