Salbutamol effect in spinal cord injured individuals undergoing functional electrical stimulation training.
OBJECTIVE
Preliminary study to investigate possible changes in skeletal muscle morphology and function, as well as hormonal and metabolic effects, after treatment with a selective beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist.


METHODS
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Three individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Two-week treatment with salbutamol (2mg) or placebo (ascorbic acid, 50mg) twice a day. Program of functional electronic stimulation (FES) cycling for 30 minutes twice a week.


METHODS
Body weight, three measures of leg circumference (gluteal furrow, one third of subischial height up from tibial-femoral joint space, and minimum circumference above the knee), muscle fiber area, and total work output per session.


RESULTS
There were increases in body weight (2.30 +/- .70kg), leg circumferences (gluteal furrow 1.70 +/- .27cm, one third subischial height 1.53 +/- 1.65cm, minimum circumference above the knee .43 +/- .04cm), and muscle (vastus lateralis) cross-sectional area (1,374 +/- 493 to 2,446 +/- 1,177microm2) after salbutamol treatment, whereas quadriceps muscle contractile function was not modified. Total work output during FES cycling sessions was increased more during salbutamol treatment (64%) compared with training alone (27%). Salbutamol treatment was associated with a large decrease in skeletal muscle beta-adrenergic receptor density.


CONCLUSIONS
Although some side effects were noted, these results suggest that a short treatment with the beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist salbutamol during a training program with FES cycling could be beneficial in patients with SCI.
Murphy
R J
RJ
Département de Kinésiologie, Université de Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Hartkopp
A
A
Gardiner
P F
PF
Kjaer
M
M
Béliveau
L
L
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005080:Exercise Test; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D005227:Fatty Acids; D007328:Insulin; D000420:Albuterol