Clenbuterol increases lean muscle mass but not endurance in patients with chronic heart failure.
Clenbuterol, a beta(2)-agonist with potent anabolic properties, has been shown to improve skeletal muscle function in healthy subjects, and in high doses, promotes cardiac recovery in patients with left ventricular assist devices. In a small, randomized controlled study, we investigated the effect of clenbuterol on skeletal muscle function, cardiac function, and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. Clenbuterol was well tolerated and led to a significant increase in both lean mass and the lean/fat ratio. Maximal strength increased significantly with both clenbuterol (27%) and placebo (14%); however, endurance and exercise duration decreased after clenbuterol. Prior data support combining exercise training with clenbuterol to maximize performance, and on-going studies will evaluate this approach.
Kamalakkannan
Gayathri
G
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
Petrilli
Christopher M
CM
George
Isaac
I
LaManca
John
J
McLaughlin
Brooke T
BT
Shane
Elizabeth
E
Mancini
Donna M
DM
Maybaum
Simon
S
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002976:Clenbuterol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004452:Echocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002976:Clenbuterol