Abstract
Peripheral metabolism was studied with the forearm technique in six fasting normal subjects before and after oxprenolol administration. With the forearm technique the product of blood flow and arteriovenous differences is a measure of substrate uptake or release, and, therefore, an index of metabolism. Blood flow was measured with venous occlusion plethysmography, and arterial and venous samples obtained through indwelling catheters in the radial artery and deep forearm vein. Oxprenolol administration influenced both peripheral flow and the basal pattern of substrate exchange. Before oxprenolol blockade a net uptake of glucose, triglycerides, and FFA, and a net release of glycerol were recorded across the forearm. After oxprenolol blockade there was a marked reduction in triglyceride uptake, with augmentation of glucose uptake and inhibition of lipolysis.