Effects of albuterol (salbutamol) on esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux in healthy volunteers
N. E. Schindlbeck, C. Heinrich, R. M. Huber and S. A. Muller-Lissner
Medizinische Klinik Innenstadt, University of Munich, West Germany.
Orally or intravenously administered beta 2-adrenergic drugs have been
found to inhibit esophageal motor function. Since inhalation of these drugs
results in less systemic side effects, the present double-blind study was
designed to investigate the influence of inhalation of the beta
2-adrenergic agonist albuterol (salbutamol) on esophageal motor function
and gastroesophageal reflux in ten healthy volunteers. Esophageal motor
function was recorded using a pneumohydraulically perfused multilumen
manometry tube. Twenty-four-hour pH profiles were measured while the
volunteers were ambulatory using a combined glass electrode connected to a
portable recorder. Inhalation decreased neither lower esophageal sphincter
pressure nor esophageal peristaltic amplitudes. Gastroesophageal reflux was
similar on both occasions during inhalation of albuterol (3.1% [range, 1.0%
to 25.5%] median upright time, with esophageal pH less than 4; and 0.1%
[range, 0.0% to 10.7%] supine time) and during placebo treatment (3.6%
[range, 1.6% to 19.8%] upright and 0.0% [range, 0.0% to 2.5%] supine time).
Our data support the study of inhalation of beta 2-adrenergic drugs in
asthmatic patients with accompanying gastroesophageal reflux.
