Tissue specific effects of the beta 2-adrenergic agonist salbutamol on LPS-induced IFN-gamma, IL-10 and TGF-beta responses in vivo.

Beta2-adrenergic agonists have immunomodulatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. We describe that oral salbutamol (beta-adrenergic agonist) administration has tissue-specific effects on cytokine production induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Salbutamol reduced LPS-induced IFN-gamma levels at both mucosal and non-mucosal sites. However, salbutamol increased IL-10 levels in the peritoneal cavity, but decreased levels in terminal ileum and lung. Salbutamol did not alter LPS-induced TGF-beta levels in the terminal ileum, but increased levels in liver and peritoneal cavity. Thus, orally administered salbutamol decreases LPS-induced IFN-gamma levels in all tissues tested, but has tissue specific effects on IL-10 and TGF-beta levels.