Effects Of Beta-adrenoceptor Agonists Research Articles

139 An investigation into the subcellular distribution of two-pore channels in cardiac ventricular myocytes in light of their differing contributions to beta-adrenergic signalling

IntroductionNicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a calcium-mobilising messenger that acts via two-pore calcium channels (TPCs). NAADP releases calcium from a lysosome-related acidic compartment distinct from the endo-sarcoplasmic reticulum...

Effects of selective beta2 and beta3-adrenoceptor agonists on detrusor hyperreflexia in conscious cerebral infarcted rats.

We evaluated the effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists on detrusor hyperreflexia in cerebral infarcted rats. To produce cerebral infarction in Sprague-Dawley rats the left middle cerebral artery was occluded by introducing a monofilament nylon thread into the artery. In sham operated rats the same artery was exposed but not occluded. After these operations cystometric and cardiovascular experiments were performed with no anesthesia or restraint. After the operation bladder capacity was significantly decreased and voiding pressure was significantly increased in cerebral infarcted but not in sham operated animals. The difference in cerebral infarcted and sham operated rats was significant for each parameter (p <0.01). Post-void residual urine volume was not affected in either group. In the cerebral infarction group intravenous administration of CL316243 ([R,R]-5-2-[[2-(3-chlorophenyl-2-hydroxyethyl]-amino]propyl] -1,3-benzodioxole-2,2-dicarboxylate) (Kissei Central Laboratories, Hotaka, Japan) a selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist, significantly increased bladder capacity at 10 and 100 microgram./kg. without affecting voiding pressure or post-void residual urine volume. Procaterol, a selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, significantly increased bladder capacity and post-void residual urine volume at 10 microgram/kg. intravenously without affecting voiding pressure. In separate experiments procaterol (1 to 100 microgram./kg. intravenously) decreased mean blood pressure and increased heart rate in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, the effects of CL316243 (0.1 to 100 microgram./kg. intravenously) on mean blood pressure and heart rate were minimal. These results indicate that in cerebral infarcted rats detrusor hyperreflexia can be suppressed by the selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist CL316243 without increasing post-void residual volume and without significant cardiovascular side effects. If the current results hold true in humans, selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonists may prove useful for treating detrusor hyperreflexia associated with cerebral infarction.

Effects of Selective β2 and β3-Adrenoceptor Agonists on Detrusor Hyperreflexia in Conscious Cerebral Infarcted Rats

We evaluated the effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists on detrusor hyperreflexia in cerebral infarcted rats. To produce cerebral infarction in Sprague-Dawley rats the left middle cerebral artery was occluded by introducing a monofilament nylon thread into the artery. In sham operated rats the same artery was exposed but not occluded. After these operations cystometric and cardiovascular experiments were performed with no anesthesia or restraint. After the operation bladder capacity was significantly decreased and voiding pressure was significantly increased in cerebral infarcted but not in sham operated animals. The difference in cerebral infarcted and sham operated rats was significant for each parameter (p <0.01). Post-void residual urine volume was not affected in either group. In the cerebral infarction group intravenous administration of CL316243 ([R,R]-5-2-[[2-(3-chlorophenyl-2-hydroxyethyl]-amino]propyl] -1,3-benzodioxole-2,2-dicarboxylate) (Kissei Central Laboratories, Hotaka, Japan) a selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist, significantly increased bladder capacity at 10 and 100 microgram./kg. without affecting voiding pressure or post-void residual urine volume. Procaterol, a selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, significantly increased bladder capacity and post-void residual urine volume at 10 microgram/kg. intravenously without affecting voiding pressure. In separate experiments procaterol (1 to 100 microgram./kg. intravenously) decreased mean blood pressure and increased heart rate in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, the effects of CL316243 (0.1 to 100 microgram./kg. intravenously) on mean blood pressure and heart rate were minimal. These results indicate that in cerebral infarcted rats detrusor hyperreflexia can be suppressed by the selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist CL316243 without increasing post-void residual volume and without significant cardiovascular side effects. If the current results hold true in humans, selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonists may prove useful for treating detrusor hyperreflexia associated with cerebral infarction.

Estrogen levels influence beta-3-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation of the female rat detrusor muscle

Objectives. To observe the expression of beta-3-adrenoceptor in the detrusor muscle in female rats and investigate the relaxant effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists on detrusor muscle in ovariectomized rats with or without estrogen replacement therapy. Methods. We first performed reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to demonstrate mRNA encoding the beta-3-adrenoceptor in the detrusor muscle from female rats. We then performed pharmacologic and physiologic studies to determine the effect of estrogen replacement therapy on the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation of the detrusor muscle of the ovariectomized rats. Results. Beta-3-adrenoceptor was expressed in the detrusor muscle in female rats with or without ovariectomy. A nonselective beta-adrenoceptor agonist relaxed precontracted detrusor muscle irrespective of ovariectomy or estrogen replacement in a dose-dependent manner; and a selective beta-3-adrenoceptor agonist relaxed the detrusor muscle more in ovariectomized rats than in ovariectomized rats with estrogen replacement or in control rats. Conclusions. Selective beta-3-adrenoceptor agonists relaxed the detrusor muscle of female rats with low estrogen levels. This result may give a clue to the treatment of frequent urination or incontinence in postmenopausal women who are not receiving hormonal replacement therapy.

Protein kinase G reverses all isoproterenol induced changes of cardiac single L-type calcium channel gating.

cGMP reduces the effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists on cardiac L-type calcium current by protein kinase G activation. Stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors increases protein kinase A dependent phosphorylation of L-type calcium channels via cAMP. At the single channel level, protein kinase A dependent phosphorylation increases both availability and open probability. The present study investigates how cGMP antagonises protein kinase A induced changes of single L-type calcium channel gating. Single L-type calcium channels were recorded in the cell attached configuration of the patch clamp technique in isolated mouse ventricular myocytes. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol (10(-6) M) enhanced single channel peak average current by increasing availability and open probability and decreasing the time constant of long close times. 8-Br-cGMP (10(-3) M) completely reversed these effects. The phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (10(-6) M) did not influence the effect of 8-Br-cGMP. The protein kinase G inhibitor Rp-8Br-PET-cGMPS (10(-7) M) abated the effect of 8-Br-cGMP. Activation of protein kinase A by the hydrolysis-resistant cAMP derivative 8-Br-cAMP (10(-3) M) enhanced L-type calcium channel activity like isoproterenol and its effect was also reversed by 8-Br-cGMP. 8-Br cGMP diminishes beta-adrenoceptor activation of L-type calcium channels via protein kinase G. It interacts with the beta-adrenoceptor signaling pathway distal of adenylyl cyclase. Our observations suggest that protein kinase G interacts either with protein kinase A or directly with the L-type calcium channel.

Selective up-regulation of phosphodiesterase-4 cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-specific phosphodiesterase variants by elevated cAMP content in human myometrial cells in culture.

In human myometrium, the modulation of intracellular cAMP content resulting from agonist-mediated stimulation of the receptor-adenylyl cyclase complex is largely influenced by the rate of cAMP hydrolysis by phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes. We have previously shown that the PDE4 family contributes to the predominant cAMP-hydrolyzing activity in human myometrium and that elevation of the PDE4B2 messenger RNA steady state level occurs in pregnant myometrial tissue. In the present study, we used a model of human myometrial cells in culture to determine whether an elevated cAMP concentration could influence PDE expression. As in myometrial tissue, high levels of PDE4 activity were detected in these smooth muscle cells. Long term treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP or forskolin resulted in a selective induction of PDE4B and of PDE4D short form messenger RNA variants. Concurrently, an increased immunoreactive signal for the PDE4B- and PDE4D-related isoenzymes was detected. This induction was consistent with an observed significant up-regulation of PDE4 activity. Accordingly, our results demonstrate that in human cultured myometrial cells, cAMP-elevating agents manipulate PDE4 activity through selective induction of synthesis of PDE4B and PDE4D short forms. Such a mechanism might have physiological importance during pregnancy by dampening hormonal stimulation and could thereby be involved in tolerance to the tocolytic effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists.

Role of the beta3-adrenoceptor in the control of leptin expression.

The inhibitory effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists on leptin expression in brown and white adipose tissues is now well documented both in vivo and in vitro. It suggests the existence in vivo of a retroregulatory loop by which leptin inhibits its own expression via the sympathetic nervous system and the beta3-adrenoceptor. The hypothesis that the defect in beta3-adrenoceptor described in the adipose tissue of hereditary obese rodents can contribute to the resistance to leptin and to the increase in leptin expression observed in these animals is discussed.

Reduced survival after isoprenaline/dopamine in d,l-propranolol intoxicated rats.

1. Respiratory and cardiovascular failure are principle toxic effects of beta-blocker overdose. Respiratory arrest is the primary cause of death in beta-blocker intoxicated rats. 2. The effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists on respiratory and cardiovascular failure in beta-blocker overdose was investigated in a model of acute d,l-propranolol (30 mg kg-1 h-1) intoxication in spontaneously breathing rats. 3. Neither the aselective, hydrophilic beta-agonist isoprenaline (10, 25, 50 micrograms kg-1 min-1), nor the beta 1-selective, lipophilic beta-agonist flerobuterol (1, 3, 10 microgram kg-1 min-1) and the beta 2-selective, lipophilic beta-agonist clenbuterol (10, 25, 50 micrograms kg-1 min-1) had any beneficial effect on cardiovascular and respiratory variables or survival time in d,l-propranolol intoxicated spontaneously breathing rats. 4. Isoprenaline (10 micrograms kg-1 min-1) had no favourable effect on haemodynamic and respiratory variables in artificially ventilated d,l-propranolol intoxicated rats either. 5. Addition of dopamine to isoprenaline resulted in a significant reduction of survival time, primarily caused by a decreased in mean arterial blood pressure, in artificially ventilated d,l-propranolol intoxicated rats. Addition of glucagon to isoprenaline did not affect survival time. 6. Artificial ventilation is the most important supportive measure in d,l-propranolol intoxication in the rat.

Effects of β1 and β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists Applied into the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nuclei of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats on Urine Production

We investigated effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists (beta 1-selective: T-1583 and dobutamine, beta 2-selective: fenoterol, non-selective: isoproterenol) on urine outflow rate, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature. The drugs were applied into the paraventricular nuclei (PVN) of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar rats. Fenoterol and isoproterenol markedly decreased the urine outflow rate, compared with T-1583 and dobutamine in the rats. There was no marked difference among the three strains in responsiveness to fenoterol and isoproterenol. The antidiuretic effects of fenoterol were inhibited by a beta 2-selective antagonist, butoxamine, more markedly than a beta 1-selective antagonist, atenolol, in SHR; and the inhibitory effects of these drugs were partial in WKY. In Wistar rats, the effect of fenoterol was inhibited by a non-selective beta-antagonist, timolol, but not by atenolol or butoxamine. A vasopressin antagonist (i.v.) did not diminish the antidiuretic effect of fenoterol. Fenoterol reduced the blood pressure in SHR and WKY, but not in Wistar rats. It was suggested that there were predominantly beta 2-adrenoceptors mediating antidiuresis in SHR. In WKY and Wistar rats, however, the beta-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating antidiuresis have yet to be determined. The ability of beta-adrenoceptor agonists to decrease urine outflow rates in SHR was not altered as compared to that in the control rats. beta-Adrenoceptor-mediated antidiuresis was not due to vasopressin release.

Interaction of iberiotoxin with beta-adrenoceptor agonists and sodium nitroprusside on guinea pig trachea

Airway smooth muscle plasma membranes contain a variety of functional K+ channels. In particular, there is a predominance of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels (maxi-K). Inhibition of these K+ channels has been postulated to account for the ability of charybdotoxin (ChTX) to produce contraction of airway smooth muscle and to modify the relaxant effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Iberiotoxin (IbTX) is more selective and more potent than ChTX at blocking maxi-K channels. In this study, pharmacological experiments were performed on guinea pig trachea to determine whether IbTX produced effects similar to ChTX. The concentration-response curves to salbutamol were markedly affected by IbTX, with a > 60-fold rightward shift being produced with 20 nM IbTX. The maximal relaxation to salbutamol was reduced to 49.3 +/- 0.9, 22.3 +/- 4.7, and 15.0 +/- 2.7% of control maximum in the presence of 20, 60, and 180 nM IbTX, respectively. Similar to salbutamol, the maximal relaxation to SNP was reduced to 80 +/- 1.6, 19 +/- 1.7, and 12 +/- 2.1% of control maximum in the presence of 20, 60, and 180 nM IbTX, respectively. IbTX (180 nM) failed to produce a significant alteration of relaxation to the ATP-dependent K+ channel agonist BRL-34915. Exposure of tissues to K(+)-rich medium (80 mM) inhibited responses to salbutamol > or = SNP > isoproterenol. These results confirm and extend our earlier observations that maxi-K channels may be involved in regulating tone and relaxation of carbachol-contracted guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. This mechanism is of particular importance for beta 2-adrenoceptor- and SNP-induced relaxation.

Evidence from guinea-pig trachealis that Uptake2 of isoprenaline is enhanced by hyperpolarization of the smooth muscle.

Previous studies (Bönisch et al. 1985; Trendelenburg 1986, 1987) have provided evidence that Uptake2 of catecholamines is inhibited by depolarization of cells. The aim of this study was to further examine the relationship between Uptake2 and membrane potential by testing the hypothesis that Uptake2 is, conversely, stimulated by hyperpolarization of cells. The effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists (isoprenaline and salbutamol) and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (propranolol and ICI 118,551) on Uptake2 of isoprenaline were examined in guinea-pig trachealis muscle, in which stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors mediates hyperpolarization of the smooth muscle cells (Allen et al. 1985), and in rat heart, in which beta-adrenoceptor agonists do not cause hyperpolarization. In guinea-pig trachealis muscle segments, propranolol and ICI 118,551 reduced Uptake2 (as measured by the steady-state rate of corticosterone-sensitive formation of 3-O-methylisoprenaline normalized for the isoprenaline concentration) in tissues incubated in 2.5-250 nmol/l 3H-isoprenaline (in the range over which isoprenaline causes hyperpolarization of the muscle), but not in 1 nmol/l 3H-isoprenaline (which does not hyperpolarize the muscle). The normalized rates were greater in tissues incubated in 25 nmol/l than 1 nmol/l isoprenaline, and were enhanced by 2.5 mumol/l salbutamol in tissues incubated in 1 nmol/l isoprenaline. In rat hearts perfused with 1 or 25 nmol/l 3H-isoprenaline and U-0521 to inhibit catechol-O-methyltransferase, the rate of Uptake2 of isoprenaline, normalized for the isoprenaline concentration, was unaffected by the isoprenaline concentration or the presence of propranolol, ICI 118,551 or salbutamol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Beta-adrenoceptor agonist stimulation of acid secretion by rat stomach in vitro is mediated by 'atypical' beta-adrenoceptors.

1. A previous study showed beta-adrenoceptor agonists stimulated acid secretion by rat stomach in vitro. The receptors could not be classed as either the beta 1- or beta 2-subtype. This study examines the effect of 2 'atypical' beta-agonists on acid secretion. 2. Basal and isoprenaline-stimulated acid secretion were compared in tissues bathed either in HEPES/O2- or HCO3-/CO2-buffer. Basal secretion was underestimated in HCO3- by an amount equal to the rate of base section. Tissues responded well in HEPES buffer and there was no base secretion following acid inhibition with SCH 28080. HEPES was used for the study. 3. SR 58611A stimulated acid in a concentration-related way (0.1-5 microM). Maximum response at 1 microM was equal to the response to a maximal concentration of isoprenaline. BRL 37344 (1 microM) also stimulated to the same extent. 4. Responses to isoprenaline (5 microM) and SR 58611A (1 microM) were reduced by propranolol (10 microM) but not by alprenolol (10 microM) or by practolol (12.5 microM) plus ICI 118551 (1 microM). 5. Exposure to SR 58611A (1 microM) led to desensitization to isoprenaline but not to bethanechol (1 microM) or histamine (50 microM). 6. We conclude that a HEPES/O2-buffer is advantageous when measuring gastric acid secretion in vitro and the stimulatory effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists is mediated by 'atypical' receptors.

The effect of pertussis toxin on beta-adrenoceptor responses in isolated cardiac myocytes from noradrenaline-treated guinea-pigs and patients with cardiac failure.

1. A decreased responsiveness to the positive inotropic effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists is a characteristic of human heart failure. We have investigated the involvement of inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) in this process using pertussis toxin treatment of isolated cardiac myocytes. 2. Myocytes isolated from failing human myocardium had a reduced maximum contractile response to isoprenaline relative to that for maximally stimulating concentrations of calcium, giving an isoprenaline/calcium ratio of 0.71 +/- 0.06 (n = 7 patients). This was significantly lower than in myocytes from non-failing myocardium, where the isoprenaline/calcium ratio was 1.16 +/- 0.07 (n = 6, P less than 0.001). Responses to high calcium were unchanged. 3. Myocytes were treated with pertussis toxin for 3-5 h at 35 degrees C. Successful inactivation of inhibitory G-proteins by pertussis toxin treatment was indicated by a loss of responsiveness to 10 microM adenosine (in the presence of submaximal isoprenaline). 4. Following pertussis toxin treatment of the myocytes from failing human heart the isoprenaline/calcium ratio increased to 1.43 +/- 0.27 (n = 7, P less than 0.05). Pertussis toxin treatment had no effect upon the maximum calcium contraction. The isoprenaline/calcium ratio in myocytes from non-failing human ventricle was not affected by the toxin treatment (n = 3). These observations support the hypothesis that increased inhibitory G-protein levels or activities contribute to beta-adrenoceptor desensitization in human heart failure. 5. beta-Adrenoceptor desensitization in human heart failure is thought to be secondary to raised noradrenaline levels in these patients. Experiments were repeated on myocytes isolated from hearts of guinea-pigs which had been chronically infused with noradrenaline. The isoprenaline/calcium ratio of these myocytes was reduced below that of myocytes from sham-operated animals (0.65 0.04, n = 6 compared with 0.88 +/- 0.02, n = 7, P<0.001).6. Pertussis toxin treatment (2 h at 35 degrees C) increased the isoprenaline/calcium ratio to 1.02 0.02 (n = 6,P<0.01) in myocytes from noradrenaline-treated guinea-pigs. This effect of pertussis toxin treatment was not seen in myocytes from sham-operated guinea-pig hearts.7. Incubation at 35 degrees C for similar periods in the absence of pertussis toxin also restored the isoprenaline/calcium ratio towards normal in the myocytes from both failing human and noradrenaline-treated guinea-pig hearts, although the effect was significantly smaller than that produced by the toxin. Myocytes kept at room temperature (22 degrees C) showed no such evidence of resensitization over periods up to 6h.8. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that raised catecholamine levels result in increased inhibitory G-protein levels and functional P-adrenoceptor desensitization in heart failure.

Pathophysiology of the -adrenoceptor system in chronic heart failure: consequences for treatment with agonists, partial agonists or antagonists?

The human heart contains both beta 1-adrenoceptors and a considerable number of beta 2-adrenoceptors, both of which bring about positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists in vitro and in vivo. In chronic heart failure, the decrease in beta-adrenoceptor function is related to the severity of the disease. However, both cardiac beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors seem to be differentially affected depending on the type of heart failure and its aetiology. beta 1-adrenoceptor function decreases in all forms of chronic heart failure. beta 2-adrenoceptor function, on the other hand, decreases in mitral valve disease, tetralogy of Fallot and end-stage ischaemic cardiomyopathy, and seems to be unaltered (or only mildly uncoupled) in end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy, and possibly in aortic valve disease. Since the human heart has few spare beta-adrenoceptors and these decline with increasing degree of heart failure, beta-adrenoceptor agonists (but only non-selective full agonists) may be of therapeutic use only if the heart needs acute inotropic support; in long-term treatment they may be not effective, since tolerance develops. On the other hand, for long-term treatment selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonists may be beneficial since they protect the heart from the deleterious effects of chronic exposure to high (cardiac derived) noradrenaline and simultaneously may restore the previously reduced beta-adrenoceptor function.

Viewpoint: untoward effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists in asthma

Beta-adrenoceptor agonists are potent and selective relaxants of airway smooth muscle. They produce symptomatic bronchodilatory effects and are the most widely used therapy in asthma. In patients with asthma, they usually effect a reduction of airway resistance, but there have been several reports of episodes of increased airway obstruction, arterial hypoxaemia and even death associated with such therapy. "Anomalous or paradoxical bronchospasm" are appropriate terminologies to describe this unexpected phenomenon. Five mechanisms have been proposed to account for anomalous responses to these substances: 1) reactive myogenic tone; 2) metabolic products with spasmogenic activity; 3) adrenoceptor tachyphylaxis; 4) increased inflammatory burden; and 5) induction of airway hyperreactivity. Following a review of the relative merits of each proposal, it is concluded that increased inflammatory burden and induction of airway hyperreactivity, alone or in combination, provide the most plausible explanation for paradoxical bronchospasm.

Evidence for β2-Adrenoceptor-Mediated Facilitation of 3H-Noradrenaline Release from Isolated Guinea Pig Papillary Muscles

The effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on field-stimulated release of radioactivity from superfused guinea pig papillary muscles preincubated with 3H-noradrenaline were studied. Stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium was abolished in the absence of Ca2+ or the presence of tetrodotoxin. Isoprenaline (1 mumol/L) caused a slight facilitation of evoked overflow, whereas phentolamine (1 mumol/L) exerted a strong facilitatory action. However, when phentolamine (1 mumol/L) was present throughout superfusion, isoprenaline and the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, zinterol, caused concentration-dependent increases (half-maximal effects at 1 nmol/L). The effects of the agonists were inversely related to stimulation frequency. Furthermore, the concentration-response curve of isoprenaline was shifted to the right by the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118,551, but not by the selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 89,406. Schild-plot analysis revealed competitive antagonism and a pA2 value of 9.04 for ICI 118,551. Both ICI 118,551 and ICI 89,406, as well as beta-adrenoceptor antagonists with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (pindolol and celiprolol; 1 mumol/L), had no effect on stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium (phentolamine present). It is concluded that guinea pig papillary muscles are endowed with prejunctional beta 2 adrenoceptors facilitating impulse-evoked noradrenaline release. The facilitation is markedly promoted by blockade of prejunctional alpha adrenoceptors.

Enhanced Presynaptic β2 Adrenoceptor–Mediated Facilitation of the Pressor Responses in the Prehypertensive SHR

The effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on pressor responses of the isolated perfused mesenteric arteries to periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS) in the prehypertensive 4-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the age-matched Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were examined. The systolic arterial blood pressure (SBP) of SHR and WKY were not significantly different at this young age. The pressor responses of the mesenteric arteries to PNS at various stimulating frequencies, however, were significantly greater in SHR than WKY. Cocaine, isoproterenol (a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor agonist) and salbutamol (a selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist) significantly enhanced the pressor responses to PNS in SHR and WKY, with significantly greater increase in SHR than WKY. The nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol) and the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist (ICI 118,551) significantly inhibited the pressor response to PNS in SHR without affecting that in WKY. The selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist (practolol) was without effect on the PNS-induced pressor responses in both SHR and WKY. These results demonstrate that the presynaptic beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated facilitation of neurogenic pressor response in mesenteric arteries already are enhanced in 4-week-old SHR. In view of the higher concentration of circulating epinephrine (Epi) in prehypertensive SHR, the enhanced facilitatory modulation via presynaptic beta 2-adrenoceptors in prehypertensive SHR may be involved in development of hypertension.

The Duration of Action of the Combination of Fenoterol Hydrobromide and Ipratropium Bromide in Protecting Against Asthma Provoked by Hyperpnea

We compared the duration of the protective effect of two beta-adrenoceptor agonists, fenoterol (200 micrograms) and salbutamol (200 micrograms), the anticholinergic agent ipratropium (80 micrograms), and the combination of fenoterol (200 micrograms) and ipratropium (80 micrograms) against challenge by eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH). Twelve patients with asthma performed EVH for two or four min at 60 percent maximal voluntary ventilation, 30 min, 2 and 4 h after treatment. All treatments (Rx) produced significant bronchodilation after 30 min. The Rx containing a beta-adrenoceptor agonist maintained this bronchodilation for at least 2 h. While all the Rx with a beta-adrenoceptor agonist significantly reduced the fall in forced expiratory volume in one second after EVH at 30 min, only the combination of fenoterol and ipratropium provided significant protection after 2 h. We advise that the duration of protective effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists is short and patients with moderate to severe exercise-induced asthma may be better controlled by combination therapy.

The functional importance of beta 1 and beta 2 adrenoceptors in the human heart

Radioligand binding studies have demonstrated convincingly the coexistence of beta 1 and beta 2 adrenoceptors in the human heart. Both subtypes are involved in the increase in tissue levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in isolated, electrically driven, human right atria and in the activation of adenylate cyclase in human cardiac membrane preparations. In isolated, electrically driven strips of human right atria, isoproterenol increased contractile force through stimulation of both beta 1 and beta 2 adrenoceptors, while the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, procaterol, caused its positive inotropic effect predominantly through beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulation. Norepinephrine, however, increased contractile force solely via beta 1-adrenoceptor stimulation. In this preparation, dobutamine also acted as a full agonist, producing a positive inotropic effect through stimulation of both beta-adrenoceptor subtypes. Dopexamine hydrochloride, on the other hand, having an approximately 10-fold greater affinity for right atrial beta 2 than for beta 1 adrenoceptors, acted as a partial agonist (maximal positive inotropic effect: about 30% that of isoproterenol). Similar effects have been obtained in human right and left ventricular strips; thus, there can be no doubt that cardiac beta 2 adrenoceptors can contribute to the positive inotropic effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists in the human heart. Besides mediating positive inotropic effects, right atrial beta 2 adrenoceptors may be involved in the regulation of heart rate since, in healthy volunteers, the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118,551, was more potent than the selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, bisoprolol, in antagonizing isoproterenol-induced tachycardia, when both antagonists were administered in doses that selectively occupied more than 90% of beta 2 and beta 1 adrenoceptors, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of beta adrenoceptors in bovine airway epithelium and smooth muscle cells

This study was undertaken to compare the characteristics of beta-adrenoceptors in bovine airway epithelium and smooth muscle cells. [ 3H]Dihydroalprenolol (DHA) was used as the radioligand. There was a significant difference in both the affinity and the density of the specific [ 3H]DHA binding in both the membranes. The maximum number of binding sites was about two fold higher and the affinity about six fold greater in the epithelial membranes as compared to those in the smooth muscle membranes. Because the integrity of airway epithelium is very important for pulmonary function and airway epithelium is very rich in beta-adrenoceptors, it is possible that the beneficial effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists in asthma and other airway diseases could, at least in part, be due to their action on epithelium.