Salbutamol inhibits the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells grown in culture: Relationship to elevated cAMP levels

Abstract

The link between increased usage of β-adrenoceptor agonists and worsening of asthma symptoms has raised interest in the effects of agents such as salbutamol on airway wall remodelling, and particularly airway smooth muscle proliferation. In the present study we have investigated the role of increases in intracellular cAMP in the inhibitory effect of salbutamol on airway smooth muscle proliferation. The inhibitory effects of a combination of submaximally effective concentrations of salbutamol (10 nM) and the non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 100 μM) on thrombin (0.3 U/mL)-induced mitogenesis in human cultured airway smooth muscle cells was greater t..