Aim: To measure whole body energy expenditure after a mixed liquid meal, with and without simultaneous propranolol infusion, in patients with cirrhosis. To investigate the effect of propranolol on substrate fluxes and oxygen uptake in the tissues drained by the hepatic vein and azygos vein in the postprandial period in these patients. Material and method: Whole-body oxygen uptake, hepatic blood flow, hepatic venous pressure gradient and net-hepatic fluxes of: oxygen, lactate, glucose, glycerol and free fatty acids were measured in twelve patients with alcoholic cirrhosis before and for 2 hours after ingestion of a mixed liquid meal (700 kcal). Half of the patients (n=6) were randomized to a treatment group receiving intravenous infusion of propranolol in combination with the meal. Results: The meal-induced energy expenditure was significantly lower in patients given propranolol (15.0 ± 18.9 vs. 67.0 ± 26.1 kJ/120 min. (mean ± SD), P< 0.01). Meal-induced whole body oxygen uptake was lower in patients receiving propranolol (19.2 ± 38 vs. 135.7 ± 61 mmol/120min, P< 0.01) and the meal-induced increase in splanchnic oxygen uptake was non existent when propranolol was administered in combination (-13.2 ± 34.8 vs. 110.4 ± 34.8 mmol/120min. P = 0.04). Postprandial the propranolol group had a tendency towards a reduced splanchnic glucose output and the FFA uptake was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Propranolol reduces meal-induced whole body oxygen uptake and energy expenditure as well as splanchnic oxygen uptake. The splanchnic reduction in oxygen consumption can explain almost the entire reduction in whole-body oxygen consumption.