title: Rapid reversibility of the allergen-induced pulmonary late-phase reaction by an intravenous beta2-agonist.
abstract: This study was performed to determine the degree to which beta2-adrenergic receptor agonists can reverse the allergen-induced late reduction in lung function. On two occasions, seven asthmatic subjects were administered terbutaline or its vehicle by intravenous infusion 7 h after inhaled allergen, at which point the forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 57% of baseline. On another occasion, terbutaline was infused at baseline to determine maximal attainable bronchodilation. After allergen challenge, terbutaline rapidly improved lung function. At the end of terbutaline infusion, the forced expiratory volume in 1 s reached 100 +/- 1.3% of baseline and 84.2 +/- 4.3% of maximal attainable value, but the bronchodilating effect of the beta-agonist did not plateau. The values for forced vital capacity were 102 +/- 1.3% of baseline and 95.1 +/- 3% of maximal attainable value. The kinetics of the terbutaline effect, when it was infused at baseline, were similar to those in the late phase. Because the late-phase reduction in lung function is rapidly reversible by beta2-adrenergic agonists, we conclude that it is caused mainly by bronchial smooth muscle spasm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Peebles
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Permutt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Togias
mesh_terms: D000322:Adrenergic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000276:immunology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000322:Adrenergic Agonists; D000485:Allergens; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013726:Terbutaline