title: Muscarinic receptors in human airways.
abstract: Muscarinic receptors play a double role in airway disorders, mediating an increase in mucus secretion, as well as constriction of smooth muscle. Cholinergic activity of the lung is more pronounced in large than in peripheral airways; in the nose parasympathetic stimulation leads to hypersecretion and vasodilation. This article reviews the differences in muscarinic subreceptors in the upper and lower airways and discusses the effectiveness of anticholinergic agents in blocking parasympathetic stimulation at these sites.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Asthma and Allergy, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic