Responsiveness to beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation: the effects of age are cardioselective.
1 To examine the influence of age on beta-adrenergic receptor mechanisms, we have observed the cardiovascular, bronchial and metabolic effects of an intravenous infusion of the beta-adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline in healthy young and elderly female subjects (mean ages 20.9 and 72.1 years respectively). 2 There was a highly significant fall in systolic blood pressure in the elderly, in contrast to the rise in systolic pressure seen in the young subjects. A similar fall in diastolic pressure occurred in both groups, indicating comparable beta-adrenoceptor-mediated vasodilatation. The fall in mean arterial pressure was significantly greater in the old than in the young subjects. The increase in heart rate was significantly less in the elderly. 3 Changes in plasma glucose and potassium during the infusion were similar in the two groups. 4 The observed abnormality of myocardial sensitivity to beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation, which is not associated with a generalized blunting of beta-adrenoceptor mediated effects, may significantly impair autonomic cardiovascular regulation in the elderly.
D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000494:pharmacology
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001786:Blood Glucose; D013726:Terbutaline; D011188:Potassium