Beta-agonists and asthma: too much of a good thing?
In an unusual paradox, asthmatics who are chronically treated with bronchodilating beta-agonists sometimes experience a worsening of their condition. A new study describes one possible mechanism and reveals a potential new therapeutic target in the treatment of asthma.
Shore
Stephanie A
SA
Physiology Program, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. sshore@hsph.harvard.edu
Drazen
Jeffrey M
JM
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008954:Models, Biological; D011485:Protein Binding; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D008024:Ligands; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2