BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEb2-Adrenoceptor agonists are important therapeutic agents in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The regular use of these drugs has been associated with proasthmatic-like changes that limit their efficacy and increase the risk of severe adverse reactions. We investigated whether the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)g agonist rosiglitazone modulated salbutamol-induced b2-adrenoceptor desensitization in vivo and in vitro.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHAn in vivo model of homologous b2-adrenoceptor desensitization, established in guinea-pigs by administering salbutamol continuously, was used to study the ability of rosiglitazone to prevent b2-adrenoceptor tolerance. In vitro experiments on human bronchial smooth muscle cells were performed to increase the clinical relevance of the study.
KEY RESULTSIn tracheal smooth muscle tissues from desensitized animals, we observed a decrease in the protective effect of salbutamol on carbachol-induced contraction, a hyperresponsiveness to cholinergic stimuli, a modest underexpression of b2-adrenoceptor gene and a marked decrease in b-adrenoceptor number, relative to control values. Treatment with rosiglitazone preserved salbutamol relaxant activity, mitigated carbachol hyperresponsiveness and partially restored b2-adrenoceptor binding sites in tracheal tissues from homologously desensitized animals. The highly selective PPARg agonist, GW1929, reproduced the effect of rosiglitazone, in vivo. In vitro b2-adrenoceptor desensitization decreased salbutamol-mediated cAMP production, without affecting forskolin responses and b2-adrenoceptor expression. 14 -prostaglandin J2 restored salbutamol sensitivity in homologously desensitized cells.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSThese data suggest a potential pharmacodynamic interaction between PPARg agonists and salbutamol on airway smooth muscle responsiveness, supporting the therapeutic potential of this combination in chronic airway disease.
AbbreviationsBSMC, human bronchial smooth muscle cells; EMSA, electrophoretic mobility shift assay; PPAR, peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor