Genetic variation in beta-adrenergic receptor determines response to salbutamol
Long-term response to salbutamol in patients with asthma may be determined by their genotype, say American researchers. They suggest that bronchodilator treatment with salbutamol should be avoided in patients with two arginine versions of the beta-adrenergic receptor gene.
The 78 subjects enrolled in the study had mild asthma but were not using
a controller medicine. They were paired according to their forced expiratory
volume, and whether they had the Arg/Arg or Gly/Gly genotype. The subjects
received regular treatment with salbutamol or placebo for 16-week periods.
As-required salbutamol was discontinued and ipratropium bromide was used
as needed.
The researchers found that during active treatment subjects with the
Gly/Gly genotype had a greater peak expiratory flow rate when receiving
salbutamol than when receiving placebo (P=0.0175). Patients with the
Arg/Arg genotype showed no change in peak expiratory flow rate during
treatment with salbutamol, but showed an increase during treatment with
placebo (P=0.0209).
The researchers found similar genotype-specific effects for forced expiratory
volume, symptoms and use of supplementary reliever medication. The study
is published in The Lancet (2004;364:1505). |
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