title: Airway and Pulmonary β2-Adrenergic Vasodilatory Function in Current Smokers and Never Smokers.
abstract: Cigarette smoking has been associated with diminished vasodilatory function in the airway circulation. It is possible that cigarette smoking similarly affects the pulmonary circulation before resting pulmonary circulatory abnormalities become manifested. The aim of this study was to compare the acute effect of inhaled albuterol on airway and pulmonary hemodynamic function as an index of β2-adrenoceptor-mediated vasodilation in smokers and never smokers.
  
  
  
  In 30 adults, airway and pulmonary vascular function was assessed before and 15 min after albuterol inhalation (270 μg). From mean systemic arterial pressure, cardiac output, airway blood flow, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure, airway vascular resistance (AVR) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were derived.
  
  
  
  Albuterol induced a substantial drop in mean (± SE) PVR (-67.2% ± 5%), with no difference between groups. In contrast, the albuterol-induced decrease in AVR was significantly greater in never smokers than in smokers (-28.6% ± 3% vs -3.1% ± 6%; P < .02).
  
  
  
  These results are consistent with a dysfunction in a β2-adrenergic signaling pathway mediating vasorelaxation in the airway circulation of current smokers. The vasodilatory deficit in the airway circulation but not in the pulmonary circulation could be related to local differences in the impact of cigarette smoke on the vascular endothelium.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL; Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. Electronic address: bhurwitz@miami.edu.
authors.forename: Barry E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hurwitz
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.
authors.forename: Eliana S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.
authors.forename: Meela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.
authors.forename: Johana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arana
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wanner
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000420:Albuterol
keywords: airway blood flow; albuterol; cigarette smoking; pulmonary arterial pressure; vasodilatory function