Comparison of interactions of R(+)- and S(-)-isomers of beta-adrenergic partial agonists, befunolol and carteolol, with high affinity site of beta-adrenoceptors in the microsomal fractions from guinea-pig ciliary body, right atria and trachea.

1. The stereoselectivities of beta-adrenergic partial agonists for the high affinity binding site of beta-adrenoceptors in the guinea-pig ciliary body, right atria and trachea were studied. 2. The inhibition curves by the S(-)-isomers of befunolol and carteolol were not significantly different from that by the R(+)-isomers in the guinea-pig ciliary body. 3. The inhibition curves by the S(-)-isomers of befunolol and carteolol were about 10 times as potent as the R(+)-isomers in the guinea-pig atria and trachea. 4. The pKi values of the S(-)-isomers of befunolol and carteolol were significantly larger than those of R(+)-isomers in the guinea-pig atria and trachea but not larger than those of the R(+)-isomers in the guinea-pig ciliary body. 5. These results suggest that the high affinity binding site of beta-adrenoceptors in ciliary body cannot discriminate stereoselectively between the R(+)- and S(-)-isomers, while in other tissues there is stereoselectivity between the two enantiomers.