Stereospecificity of the anti-inflammatory actions of terbutaline.
Intra-arterial infusion of a racemic mixture of the beta 2-agonist terbutaline blocks histamine-mediated increases in lymph flow and protein concentration in the canine forelimb. In the current study we have assessed the relative anti-inflammatory potencies of the purified stereoisomers of terbutaline. Infusion of histamine (4 micrograms base/min) increased lymph flow, protein concentration and protein transport. The intra-arterial infusion of 1-terbutaline (1 microgram/min) significantly decreased forelimb arterial pressures and prevented any changes in lymph parameters due to subsequent histamine infusion. Intra-arterial infusion of d-terbutaline (1 microgram/min) did not significantly affect forelimb vascular pressures but subsequent to histamine administration, lymph parameters increased similar to that seen with histamine alone. Infusion of a high dose of d-terbutaline (100 micrograms/min) slightly decreased forelimb arterial pressures but failed to inhibit histamine-mediated increases in lymph parameters. Infusion of 1-terbutaline alone (1 microgram/min) significantly decreased forelimb arterial pressures, lymph flow and protein transport and slightly but significantly increased lymph protein concentration. These data indicate that the beta 2-agonistic and anti-inflammatory properties of terbutaline are confined solely to the levorotatory enantiomer.
Dobbins
D E
DE
Department of Physiology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799.
Buehn
M J
MJ
Dabney
J M
JM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D011506:Proteins; D013726:Terbutaline