title: Beta-adrenoceptor responses to inhaled salbutamol in the elderly.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the responsiveness of beta 2-adrenoceptors in elderly and young subjects. Seven healthy elderly volunteers (72 +/- 3 years) were given cumulative doses of inhaled salbutamol (100 micrograms-4000 micrograms) or placebo, following pre-treatment with propranolol 40 mg or placebo. Finger tremor (Tr), plasma potassium (K), and heart rate (HR) were measured at each dose step. There were dose-dependent increases in Tr (P less than 0.001) and HR (P less than 0.001) and falls in K (P less than 0.001), which were completely attenuated by propranolol (P less than 0.001). Comparison with dose-response curves in a group of young (Y) subjects (24 +/- 3 years) given an identical dose protocol of salbutamol showed no evidence of subsensitivity of beta 2-adrenoceptor responses in the elderly (E) group (mean and 95% confidence intervals for maximum responses): delta K -0.90 (-1.1(-)-0.82) mmol l-1 Y, -0.82 (-1.04(-)-0.60) mmol l-1 E, delta Tr 274 (213-335)% Y, 269 (197-342)% E, delta HR 25 (21-28) beats min-1 Y, 26 (21-31) beats min-1 E.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Lipworth
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Tregaskis
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: McDevitt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011433:Propranolol; D000420:Albuterol