Nebivolol and Endothelial Regulation of Fibrinolysis (NERF)

5 mg tablet to be taken by mouth once per day for 12 weeks

100 mg tablet to be taken by mouth once per day for 12 weeks

Gelatin capsule to be taken by mouth once per day for 12 weeks

Bradykinin is infused into the brachial artery at doses of 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 ng/100 mL of forearm tissue /min. BDK stimulates the endothelial cells to release tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA). Blood flow in mL/100 mL tissue/min is also measured to BDK.

Baseline or resting forearm blood flow is measured in response to saline for 5 minutes before each drug infusion. t-PA release in response to the saline is also measured.

The acute effects of into-arterial vitamin C on the ability of the endothelium to release t-PA was determined before and after the nebivolol and metoprolol intervention. After allowing sufficient time (\~20 minutes) for FBF and plasma t-PA concentrations to return to baseline following the initial infusion of BDK, vitamin C (24 mg/min) was infused at a constant rate while the BDK dose-response curves were repeated. t-PA and FBF were measured.