title: Effects of the enantiomers of R,S-salbutamol on incompletely fused tetanic contractions of slow- and fast-twitch skeletal muscles of the guinea-pig.
abstract: 1. The effects of racemic R,S-salbutamol, and its individual enantiomers have been studied on incompletely fused (sub-tetanic) contractile responses of fast- and slow-contracting isolated skeletal muscles of the guinea-pig. 2. R,S-salbutamol (2-4 microM) decreased the peak force of sub-tetani in the slow-contracting soleus muscle and increased the peak force of sub-tetani in the fast-contracting peroneus longus muscle. It also increased the force of the first twitch of sub-tetani in both muscles. The decrease in the peak force of sub-tetani in the soleus muscle was due to defusion of the individual twitches caused by a shortening of their time course. 3. The effects of 4 microM of the racemate on both fast- and slow-contracting muscles were mimicked by 2 microM R-salbutamol (levalbuterol). However, 2 microM S-salbutamol was devoid of activity in both muscles. 4. We concluded that all the effects of R,S-salbutamol on guinea-pig skeletal muscles are due to the activity of the R-enantiomer. Thus there is a common enantiomeric profile for the skeletal muscle and bronchorelaxant activity of the compound.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McCullough
mesh_terms: D000420:Albuterol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018656:Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018657:Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D000420:Albuterol