title: Muscarinic receptor subtypes: implications for therapy.
abstract: At least three subtypes of muscarinic receptor have been localised to human airways. M1-receptors facilitate ganglionic transmission and therefore enhance cholinergic reflexes, M2-receptors are localised to post-ganglionic cholinergic nerve terminals and inhibit the release of acetylcholine and M3-receptors on airway smooth muscle mediate constriction and on submucosal glands mediate increased mucus secretion. M3 or mixed M1/M3-receptor antagonists should be preferable to the non-selective anticholinergic drugs in current use, since they would not increase acetylcholine release from cholinergic nerves.
authors.affiliation: National Heart & Lung Institute, London, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D000109:Acetylcholine