Br J Sports Med. 2007 May 17; [Epub ahead of print]
Salbutamol exhibits androgenic activity in vitro.
von Bueren AO, Ma R, Schlumpf M, Lichtensteiger W.
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Switzerland, Switzerland.
ABSTRACT: Salbutamol has been shown to mediate anabolic effects after intravenous administration. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for anabolic actions of salbutamol remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate potential mechanism by which salbutamol mediates anabolic effects in vitro. METHODS: Potential androgenic activity of salbutamol was investigated in vitro by the A-Screen assay that measures androgen-dependent inhibition of proliferation of the androgen receptor (AR)-positive human mammary carcinoma cell line, MCF7-AR1. RESULTS: The assay was validated with three known androgens (methyltrienolone (R1881), 5-alphadihydrotestosterone (DHT) and danazol). IC50 values of R1881, DHT and danazol, 4.41 x 10(-11), 4.44 x 10(-11) and 1.08 x 10(-8) M, were in the range known from earlier studies. Our results indicate that salbutamol exhibits androgenic activity, with an IC50 value of 8.93 x 10(-6) M. Anti-estrogenic or cytotoxic effects which might have interfered with the assay, were excluded by additional experiments on wildtype MCF7 and MCF7-AR1 cells, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that salbutamol exerts anabolic effects through androgen receptor agonistic activity in vitro.
PMID: 17510230 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
In this next study below, Albuterol is shown to increase strength gains and lean body mass.
Quote:J Strength Cond Res. 2005 Feb;19(1):102-7.Related Articles, Links
Oral albuterol dosing during the latter stages of a resistance exercise program.
Caruso JF, Hamill JL, De Garmo N.
Healthcare Research Associates Inc., Orlando, Florida 32819, USA. john-caruso@utulsa.edu
Subjects performed isoload variable resistance exercise (REX) 3 days per week. After 10 weeks, they received a double-blind albuterol (n = 11) or placebo (n = 11) capsule assignment with no crossover and continued training. During the first week of capsule administration, dosages were increased from 4 mg to 16 mg daily and then maintained for 14 days. At weeks 0, 10, and 13, we measured upper arm and thigh cross-sectional area, knee and elbow extensor and flexor (KE, KF, EE, EF) strength at 3 angular velocities, and lean body mass. Data after 10 weeks showed insignificant between-group differences. From weeks 10-13, as subjects continued REX training, albuterol evoked higher (p < 0.05) KE-KF strength gains at multiple velocities versus placebo dosing. A higher lean body mass trend also occurred with albuterol from weeks 10-13. Results suggest that albuterol augments REX to provide greater strength gains from hypertrophic factors than an REX-placebo assignment.
Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
PMID: 15705021 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]