title: [Long-term effect of the beta 2-sympathomimetic formoterol in young smokers--study of duration and site of effect of bronchodilatation using conventional methods of lung function and monodispersed aerosols].
abstract: Formoterol is a novel selective beta 2-sympathomimetic inducing bronchodilatation after inhalation or oral application. Compared to other beta 2-sympathicomimetics the substance begins to act very rapidly even at a much lower dosage level, while it remains effective for at least 12 hours. In the present study the bronchodilatory effect of 24 micrograms MDI formoterol was investigated in 18 healthy smokers between 20 and 30 years of age means. Measurement was effected by means of conventional lung function diagnostics (body plethysmography, spirometry) and an biophysical aerosol measurement method for determining the effective airways dimensions (EAD). This method is based on the gravitational losses of a previously inspired monodisperse model aerosol during apnoea periods of different duration. It enables determination of the EAD as a function of the volumetric lung depth (VLT). A marked and universally measurable bronchodilatation is detectable directly after formoterol has been inhaled. The longterm action of formoterol was confirmed for more than 15 hours after application, using the conventional lung function test and the EAD method. Over and above this the EAD determination showed that the bronchodilatory effect was much more marked in the central airways than in the periphery of the lungs, thus confirming the effect generally described for beta 2-sympathomimetics as being mainly directed towards the central airways region.
authors.affiliation: GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, GmbH, Institut für Biophysikalische Strahlenforschung, Frankfurt/Main.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siekmeier
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Schiller-Scotland
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stahlhofen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kronenberger
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000336:Aerosols; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate
vernacular_title: Langzeitwirkung des beta 2-Sympathomimetikums Formoterol bei jungen Rauchern--Untersuchung von Wirkdauer und Wirkort der Bronchodilatation mittels konventioneller Lungenfunktionsmethoden und monodisperser Modellaerosole.