title: Pilot trial of albuterol in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.
abstract: The authors conducted a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of albuterol in nine boys with dystrophinopathies. Primary outcomes were 1) isometric knee extensor and flexor strength; and 2) manual muscle testing (MMT). Isometric knee extensor strength and MMT scores were significantly higher in patients taking albuterol vs placebo. Therefore, 12-week treatment with extended-release albuterol may increase strength in patients with dystrophinopathies. A larger, double-blind, randomized study is necessary to confirm these results.
authors.affiliation: UCLA Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Graves
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Wetzel
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016189:Dystrophin / Q000235:genetics; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D016189:Dystrophin; D000420:Albuterol