EFFECT OF PROCATEROL, A BETA(2)-ADRENOCEPTOR AGONIST, ON SKIN WHEALING RESPONSE CAUSED BY INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS IN ASTHMATIC-CHILDREN

Background: Beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists have been shown to reduce all ergen-induced skin whealing responses via inhibition of mediator relea se. Objective: To study whether beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists have a di rect action against inflammatory mediator-induced skin whealing respon ses. Methods: We examined the effect of procaterol, a beta 2-adrenocep tor agonist, on skin whealing responses to histamine, platelet-activat ing factor (PAF), substance P, or bradykinin in eight asthmatic childr en in a double-blind, randomized, crossover study. Two hours after tak ing procaterol (50 mu g) or placebo orally, the subjects were given th ese mediators intradermally at a concentration of 10(-5) M. Results: P rocaterol has a small but significant inhibitory effect on wheal forma tion following the intradermal injection of histamine and PAF by an av erage of 15% (P < .05) and 18% (P < .05) respectively but not against substance P or bradykinin. Conclusions: Our results suggest that altho ugh beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists may have an inhibitory effect against plasma exudation from microvasculature in the human skin, bronchodila tory effects are more prominent.