Ketotifen prevents terbutaline-induced down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors in guinea pig lung
Koshino, T.; Agrawal, D.K.; Townley, T.A.; Townley, R.G.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 152(3): 1221-1227
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-291X PMID: 2897844 Document Number: 312914
We examined the effect of ketotifen on the down-regulation of beta, adrenoceptors in guinea pig lung chronically treated with terbutaline. There was a significant decrease in the density of beta-adrenoceptors following chronic administration of terbutaline. Ketotifen prevented the decrease in beta-adrenoceptor density induced by terbutaline in a dose-dependent fashion; ketotifen alone, also increased the density of beta-adrenoceptors. However, neither ketotifen nor terbutaline significantly changed the KD values in either group. These findings suggest that ketotifen might be valuable when beta-agonists are administered for long term treatment in asthmatic patients.