The (R)-enantiomer of racemic albuterol produces bronchodilation, whereas the (S)-enantiomer may increase airway reactivity. After oral or intravenous administration of racemic albuterol, the (R)- enantiomer is metabolized several times faster than the (S)-enantiomer; however, enantiomer disposition after inhaling racemic albuterol with a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is not known. Accordingly, 10...

This study evaluated the cardiac and pulmonary effects of administering multiple inhaled doses of albuterol, isoproterenol sulfate, and placebo in ten patients with reversible obstructive disease of the airways. The pulmonary effects of therapy with albuterol were similar in magnitude to those of isoproterenol but lasted longer. The inotropic and chronotropic effects of therapy with isoproteren...

Current methods for assessing vasomotor endothelial function are impractical for use in large studies. We tested the hypothesis that pulse-wave analysis (PWA) combined with provocative pharmacological testing might provide an alternative method. Radial artery waveforms were recorded and augmentation index (AIx) was calculated from derived aortic waveforms. Thirteen subjects received sublingual ...

BACKGROUND Major basic protein released from eosinophils to airway parasympathetic nerves blocks inhibitory M(2) muscarinic receptors on the parasympathetic nerves, increasing acetylcholine release and potentiating reflex bronchoconstriction. Recruitment of eosinophils to airway parasympathetic neurons requires neural expression of both intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1) and eotaxin. W...

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine whether patients prescribed inhaled corticosteroids are at risk for adverse gastrointestinal effects. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Urban health center with an academic affiliation. PATIENTS A total of 19,443 adults (mean age 31.8 yrs) with airways disease, defined as a diagnosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and who were pre...

OBJECTIVES To determine the response of nebulized magnesium sulfate on the lung function of acetylcholine-induced asthma children. METHODS Three hundred and thirty children of asthma with positive bronchial provocation test were randomly divided into three groups: magnesium sulfate, albuterol, and a combination of magnesium sulfate and albuterol. Lung function was compared between the three g...

BACKGROUND Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that has been demonstrated to increase muscle strength in studies in animals and humans. Based on a pilot study of extended-release albuterol Repetabs in children with dystrophinopathies, the authors conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with a crossover design. METHODS Fourteen boys with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy, ...

The treatment of nocturnal asthma remains a challenge. We investigated the use of a pulsed-released albuterol in ten patients with nocturnal symptoms of asthma. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover designed study, we tested the use of 8 mg of pulsed-release albuterol sulfate (Proventil Repetabs) vs placebo. The pulsed-release albuterol significantly blunted the overnight...

BACKGROUND Continuous albuterol nebulization has become the standard of care for patients with status asthmaticus. Predictable albuterol delivery is paramount for effective therapy. We compared the aerosol characteristics, solution output, and albuterol output of 4 brands of large-volume nebulizer. METHODS We studied 6 units of the following nebulizer brands: AirLife Misty Finity (Cardinal He...

BACKGROUND Beta-2 adrenergic receptors (β2ARs) are located throughout the body including airway and alveolar cells. The β2ARs regulate lung fluid clearance through a variety of mechanisms including ion transport on alveolar cells and relaxation of the pulmonary lymphatics. We examined the effect of an inhaled β2-agonist (albuterol) on alveolar-capillary membrane conductance (DM) and pulmonary c...