Beneficial effect of the central nervous system beta-adrenoceptor blockade on the failing heart

Abstract

Heart failure patients are routinely given beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (beta-blockers), although the mechanism(s) underlying their beneficial effects is not fully resolved. It is not entirely clear how long-term application of negative inotropic compounds improves cardiac performance, slows remodeling processes, and decreases mortality. All beta-blockers, which produce a beneficial effect in heart failure, have in common a high degree of lipophilicity and, therefore, have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Here, we show that blockade of beta-adrenoceptors directly in the brain (chronic intracerebroventricular administration of metoprolol) attenuates the progression of left ventricular remodeling in a rat model of myocardial infarction-induced heart failure. These results provide the first direct evidence that the action of certain beta-blockers in the brain could contribute to their beneficial effect on the failing heart.