Selective metabolic effects of salbutamol in anesthetized cats

Abstract

Salbutamol was found to produce a selective stimulation of beta adrenergic receptors mediating metabolic responses in anesthesized cats. Salbutamol was infused intravenously at a rate of 1 μg/Kg/min; this agent produced a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure and concomitantly increased blood glucose and lactate while decreasing plasma potassium. Salbutamol did not elevate plasma free fatty acids. In contrast to salbutamol, comparable infusions of isoproterenol produced all cardiovascular and metabolic effects non-selectively. The cardiovascular and metabolic effects of salbutamol were blocked by oxprenolol, a beta adrenergic receptor antagonist. The apparent selectivity of action of salbutamol suggests that metabolic beta adrenergic receptors are heterogeneous and can be differentiated into at least two separate types. © 1976.