Binding characteristics of the beta-blockers and beta-agonists with the beta-adrenoceptors were investigated in 3H-dihydroalprenolol (3H-DHA) binding to rat heart membranes treated with neuraminidase. When 60% of the total sialic acid content in the membranes was removed, reproducibility of the binding assay became much better than was attainable without neuraminidase treatment, and the maximum...

We previously reported that Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) agonists induce expression of a more limited repertoire of pro-inflammatory genes than TLR4 agonists. Murine macrophages stimulated with the TLR4 agonist, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 ('STAT1') tyrosine phosphorylation that was secondary to the autocrine/paracrine action of...

BACKGROUND Long-acting beta-agonists were one of the first-choice bronchodilator agents for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But the impact of long-acting beta-agonists on mortality was not well investigated. METHODS National Emphysema Treatment Trial provided the data. Severe and very severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who were eligible for volume reduc...

BACKGROUND Long-acting beta(2)-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids can be used as maintenance therapy by patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These interventions are often taken together in a combination inhaler. However, the relative added value of the two individual components is unclear. OBJECTIVES To determine the relative effects of inhaled corticoster...

In vivo data have suggested that adrenergic signals can reactivate dormant brown adipocytes in adult humans. We report here a system based on primary cultures of perirenal adipocytes from human adults and reverse transcription-PCR of uncoupling protein mRNA. Norepinephrine and compounds classified as beta 3-adrenoceptor agonists in rodents increased uncoupling protein mRNA level in human adipoc...