Beta-Adrenoceptor Agonists (β-agonists)

General pharmacology

Beta-adrenoceptor agonists (β-agonists) bind to β-receptors on cardiac and smooth muscle tissue. They also have important actions in other tissues, especially bronchial smooth muscle (relaxation), the liver (stimulate glycogenolysis) and kidneys (stimulate renin release). Beta-adrenoceptors normally bind to norepinephrine released by sympathetic adrenergic nerves, and to circulating epinephrine. Therefore, β-agonists mimic the actions of sympathetic adrenergic stimulation acting through β-adrenoceptors. Overall, the effect of β-agonists is cardiac stimulation (increased heart rate, contractility, conduction velocity, relaxation) and systemic vasodilation. Arterial pressure may increase, but not necessarily because the fall in systemic vascular resistance offsets the increase in cardiac output. Therefore, the effect on arterial pressure depends on the relative influence on cardiac versus vascular β-adrenoceptors. Long-term exposure to β-agonists can cause β-receptor down-regulation, which limits their therapeutic efficacy to short-term application. Beta-agonists, because they are catecholamines, have a low bioavailability and therefore must be given by intravenous infusion.

Heart

Beta-agonists bind to beta-adrenoceptors in cardiac nodal tissue, the conducting system, and contracting myocytes.

The heart has both β₁ and β₂ adrenoceptors, although the predominant receptor type in number and function is β₁. These receptors primarily bind norepinephrine that is released from sympathetic adrenergic nerves. Additionally, they bind to norepinephrine and epinephrine that circulate in the blood.

Beta-adrenoceptors are coupled to Gs-proteins, which activate adenylyl cyclase to form cAMP from ATP. Increased cAMP activates a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A) that phosphorylates L-type calcium channels, which causes increased calcium entry into the cells. Increased calcium entry during action potentials leads to enhanced release of calcium by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the heart; these actions increase inotropy (contractility). Gs-protein activation also increases the heart rate by opening ion channels responsible for pacemaker currents in the sinoatrial node. PK-A phosphorylates sites on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which enhances the release of calcium through the ryanodine receptors (ryanodine-sensitive, calcium-release channels) associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This provides more calcium for binding the troponin-C, which enhances inotropy. Finally, PK-A can phosphorylate myosin light chains, which may also contribute to the positive inotropic effect of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. In summary, the cardiac effects of a β-agonist are increased heart rate, contractility, conduction velocity, and relaxation rate.

Blood vessels

Vascular smooth muscle has β₂-adrenoceptors that have a high binding affinity for circulating epinephrine and a lower affinity for norepinephrine released by sympathetic adrenergic nerves.

These receptors, like those in the heart, are coupled to a Gs-protein, which stimulates the formation of cAMP. Although increased cAMP enhances cardiac myocyte contraction (see above), in vascular smooth muscle, an increase in cAMP leads to smooth muscle relaxation. This is because cAMP inhibits myosin light chain kinase that is responsible for phosphorylating smooth muscle myosin. Therefore, increased intracellular cAMP caused by β₂-agonists inhibits myosin light chain kinase, producing less contractile force (i.e., promoting relaxation).

Other tissues

Activation of β₂-adrenoceptors in the lungs causes bronchodilation. β₂-adrenoceptor activation leads to hepatic glycogenolysis and pancreatic release of glucagon, which increases plasma glucose concentrations. β₁-adrenoceptor stimulation in the kidneys causes the release of renin, which stimulates the production of angiotensin II and the subsequent release of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex.

Specific Drugs and Therapeutic Uses

There are several β-agonists that are used clinically to treat heart failure or circulatory shock, all of which are natural catecholamines or analogs. Most β-agonists, however, have some α-agonist activity. One agonist, dopamine, also binds to dopaminergic receptors (D₁ receptors) that are found in the systemic vasculature, particularly in the kidneys, and causes vasodilation. These drugs, along with their agonist properties, are given in the table below. 

Side Effects and Contraindications

A major side effect of β-agonists is cardiac arrhythmia. Because these drugs increase myocardial oxygen demand, they can precipitate angina in patients with coronary artery disease. Headache and tremor are also common.

Revised 01/31/2024