Biomaterial Database

Pharmacology of formoterol: an innovative bronchodilator. 1991

G P Anderson

Pharmaceuticals Division, CIBA-GEIGY AG, Basel, Switzerland.

Formoterol is an innovative, highly potent, beta-2 selective adrenoceptor agonist combining the clinical advantages of rapid onset of action with a duration of action in excess of 12 h. In vitro, formoterol is a potent airway smooth muscle relaxant with high intrinsic activity. Formoterol appears to be retained in airway smooth muscle for extended periods since its relaxant effect on human airway smooth muscle is resistant to repeated washing and formoterol displays "reassertion" of relaxation after washout of a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist. In addition to airway smooth muscle relaxation, formoterol inhibits a range of acute inflammatory processes in animal models including eosinophil activation and infiltration of the airways, microvascular leakage, and antigen-induced mediator release from human lung. Whether these non-airway smooth muscle effects may influence chronic airway inflammation in clinical asthma remains to be determined.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009130	Muscle, Smooth	Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D012130	Respiratory Hypersensitivity	A form of hypersensitivity affecting the respiratory tract. It includes ASTHMA and RHINITIS, ALLERGIC, SEASONAL.	Airway Hyperresponsiveness,Hypersensitivity, Respiratory,Airway Hyper-Responsiveness,Airway Hyper Responsiveness,Airway Hyperresponsivenesses,Hyper-Responsiveness, Airway,Hyperresponsiveness, Airway,Respiratory Hypersensitivities
D012137	Respiratory System	The tubular and cavernous organs and structures, by means of which pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange between ambient air and the blood are brought about.	Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Systems,Respiratory Tracts,System, Respiratory,Tract, Respiratory
D001993	Bronchodilator Agents	Agents that cause an increase in the expansion of a bronchus or bronchial tubes.	Bronchial-Dilating Agents,Bronchodilator,Bronchodilator Agent,Broncholytic Agent,Bronchodilator Effect,Bronchodilator Effects,Bronchodilators,Broncholytic Agents,Broncholytic Effect,Broncholytic Effects,Agent, Bronchodilator,Agent, Broncholytic,Agents, Bronchial-Dilating,Agents, Bronchodilator,Agents, Broncholytic,Bronchial Dilating Agents,Effect, Bronchodilator,Effect, Broncholytic,Effects, Bronchodilator,Effects, Broncholytic
D002199	Capillary Permeability	The property of blood capillary ENDOTHELIUM that allows for the selective exchange of substances between the blood and surrounding tissues and through membranous barriers such as the BLOOD-AIR BARRIER; BLOOD-AQUEOUS BARRIER; BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER; BLOOD-NERVE BARRIER; BLOOD-RETINAL BARRIER; and BLOOD-TESTIS BARRIER. Small lipid-soluble molecules such as carbon dioxide and oxygen move freely by diffusion. Water and water-soluble molecules cannot pass through the endothelial walls and are dependent on microscopic pores. These pores show narrow areas (TIGHT JUNCTIONS) which may limit large molecule movement.	Microvascular Permeability,Permeability, Capillary,Permeability, Microvascular,Vascular Permeability,Capillary Permeabilities,Microvascular Permeabilities,Permeabilities, Capillary,Permeabilities, Microvascular,Permeabilities, Vascular,Permeability, Vascular,Vascular Permeabilities
D002465	Cell Movement	The movement of cells from one location to another. Distinguish from CYTOKINESIS which is the process of dividing the CYTOPLASM of a cell.	Cell Migration,Locomotion, Cell,Migration, Cell,Motility, Cell,Movement, Cell,Cell Locomotion,Cell Motility,Cell Movements,Movements, Cell
D004804	Eosinophils	Granular leukocytes with a nucleus that usually has two lobes connected by a slender thread of chromatin, and cytoplasm containing coarse, round granules that are uniform in size and stainable by eosin.	Eosinophil
D004983	Ethanolamines	AMINO ALCOHOLS containing the ETHANOLAMINE; (-NH2CH2CHOH) group and its derivatives.	Aminoethanols
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man