Selective β1-adrenoceptor agonists — fact or fiction?

The lipolytic effect of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor activation in healthy human volunteers

1. We investigated the effect of activation beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors on the process of lipolysis in human volunteers. Ten male subjects underwent a single-blind randomized cross-over trial using infusions of terbutaline (a specific beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist), xamoterol (a partial beta 1-agonist with beta 2-adrenoceptor blocking activity) and saline (placebo control). The effect of these infusions on plasma potassium, glucose, free fatty acids (FFA) (total and individual) and insulin levels was studied. 2. Terbutaline infusion induced a significant rise in plasma glucose and a fall in plasma potassium in keeping with its beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulant properties. Xamoterol infusion had no significant effect on these values. Terbutaline infusion caused a greater rise in total and individual FFA than xamoterol, but both effects were significantly different from placebo. 3. The possible reasons for these results and their implications on the beta-adrenergic control of lipolysis are discussed.

Characterization of presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors facilitating endogenous noradrenaline release in the portal vein of permanently cannulated, freely moving rats

We investigated the nature of presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors and the possible heterogeneity of these receptors in the portal vein nervous plexus of freely moving unanesthetized rats using the differential blockade technique with CGP 20712A as a highly beta 1-selective antagonist, ICI 118,551 as a very beta 2-selective antagonist and fenoterol and endogenous NA as beta 2- and beta 1-selective agonists respectively. The fenoterol (0.25 mg/kg)-induced increase of the basal NA level (290%) was dose dependently decreased by 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg ICI 118,551, but was not affected by a high dose (3.0 mg/kg) of CGP 20712A. During electrical stimulation (2 Hz, 3 ms, 5 mA) of the portal vein nervous plexus, 0.25 mg/kg fenoterol induced a 2.1-fold increase in NA overflow compared to the control stimulation value. ICI 118,551 was also able to decrease the fenoterol-induced enhancement during stimulation. During stimulation in the presence of CGP 20712A and fenoterol, the control stimulation value was not significantly decreased. Pretreatment with yohimbine (0.5 mg/kg) was used to create a strong beta 1-stimulus by raising the intra-synaptic NA level through blockade of the inhibitory alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Under these conditions, CGP 20712A did not deminish the yohimbine-induced enhancement of the stimulus evoked NA overflow, clearly indicating the absence of the beta 1-adrenoceptor subtype. ICI 118,551 (0.1 mg/kg) was also unable to influence the evoked NA overflow under these conditions, implying that, even at high concentrations, NA is not able to facilitate its own release by stimulation of the presynaptic beta 2-adrenoceptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute metabolic effects of adrenergic agents in swine

A pig model in vivo was used to confirm the unique specificity for stimulation of porcine adipose tissue lipolysis by norepinephrine analogues in vitro. Plasma free fatty acid and blood glycerol concentrations were monitored as probable indicators of adipose tissue lipolysis. Plasma glucose and lactate concentrations, blood pressure, and heart rate were monitored also. Norepinephrine analogues were infused intravenously. Several compounds, classified as either beta 1- or beta 2-adrenergic agonists, that stimulated lipolysis in vitro also increased plasma free fatty acid and blood glycerol concentrations in vivo. Tazolol (beta 1) and quinterenol (beta 2) did not stimulate lipolysis in vitro and likewise did not elevate plasma free fatty acid or blood glycerol concentrations in vivo. Clenbuterol and zinterol did not stimulate lipolysis in vitro but elevated plasma free fatty acid concentrations in vivo, implying indirect effects. Isoproterenol stimulation of plasma free fatty acid and blood glycerol concentrations in vivo was antagonized by propranolol, implying the beta-adrenergic nature of the receptors. Infusion of purported beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic antagonists suggested control of lipolysis in vivo predominantly by beta 1-adrenergic receptors; however, because the results in vitro do not indicate this specificity, differential pharmacodynamics of the antagonists are suggested rather than designation of receptor subtypes. There was no evidence for alpha-adrenergic mediated inhibition of adipose tissue lipolysis in vivo, confirming observations in vitro.