Abstract
Forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase, and isoprenaline, an unselective β-adrenoceptor agonist, were studied in vitro on tissues from guinea-pig with respect to relaxation of the carbachol-contracted trachea, increase in the force of contraction of the papillary muscle and depression of subtetanic contractions of the soleus muscle, three well-characterized β-adrenoceptor-mediated effects. Forskolin and isoprenaline relaxed the trachea and increased the force of contraction of the papillary muscle. Isoprenaline but not forskolin caused a depression of the subtetanic contraction of the soleus muscle. Forskolin did not seem to potentiate the effects of isoprenaline on the tissues studied; the combined effects appeared to be a mere addition. Forskolin did not increase the efficacy of the partial agonist prenalterol either. It is concluded that there is no simple relation between c-AMP generation and the functional response to β-adrenoceptor agonists. Forskolin should not be used uncritically to probe β-adrenoceptor-mediated effects.
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