title: Comparison of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response of lymphocytes in normal and asthmatic subjects to norepinephrine and salbutamol.
abstract: Reduced response of beta adrenergic receptors, especially beta-2 receptors, has been suggested as a contributing factor in the etiology of asthma. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) production in lymphocytes after exposure to 10(-3) M salbutamol, predominantly a beta-2 receptor stimulant, was significantly less in asthmatic subjects than in normal subjects, while there was no significant difference in cyclic AMP response to 10(-3) M norepinephrine, predominantly a beta-1 receptor stimulant. Both drugs evoked the maximum response at 10(-3) M. The cyclic AMP response to salbutamol of 5 asthmatic subjects being treated with steroids was diminished significantly compared with that of 7 patients not treated with steroids; however, the response to norepinephrine was similar in both groups. The degree of the abnormality in the beta-2 receptor response seems to be related to the severity of the asthma.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009921:Metaproterenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D009921:Metaproterenol; D013806:Theophylline; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000420:Albuterol; D009638:Norepinephrine