Effect of formoterol, a long-lasting beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, against methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction.
1. The effects of a new long-acting inhaled beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist aerosol formoterol (12 micrograms), on FEV1, and on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction, were compared with those of terbutaline (250 micrograms) and placebo in 12 midly asthmatic subjects. 2. PC20, the concentration of methacholine needed to cause a 20% fall in baseline FEV1, was determined 2 and 5 h after formoterol, terbutaline and placebo on separate days. Baseline PC20 was determined on a different day. 3. Compared with terbutaline and placebo, formoterol hastened recovery from methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction, and significantly increased mean PC20 (by 2.2- and 2.9-fold at 2 and 5 h respectively). 4. Thus, formoterol has a protective effect against methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction which lasts for at least 5 h.
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Department of Thoracic Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Brompton Hospital, London.
Nichol
G M
GM
Robson
A
A
Barnes
P J
PJ
Chung
K F
KF
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008688:Methacholine Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014797:Vital Capacity
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D004983:Ethanolamines; D008688:Methacholine Compounds; D006632:Histamine; D013726:Terbutaline; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate