Measurements of energy expenditure and respiratory quotient
REE and respiratory quotient (RQ) and were measured before and 90 minutes after a single oral dose of 80mg propranolol (Treatment) or after an equivalently long resting period without intervention (Control), respectively. We performed indirect calorimetry for 30 min using a ventilated hood calorimeter (Cosmed Quark RMR, Cosmed, Rome, Italy). The patients lay on a hospital bed in the supine position and were covered with a fleece blanket, in order to prevent cold-induced thermogenesis. Measurements were performed in an air-conditioned study room at a controlled ambient temperature of 24°C year round. Patients were asked to fast overnight (at least 6 hours) and to refrain from intensive physical exercise 24h prior to the study visit.