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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Cardiac Stress Test Induced by Dobutamine and Monitored by Cardiac Catheterization in Mice
Published on: February 10, 2013
"The β1-selective adrenoceptor agonist dobutamine": a fallacy being perpetuated
Abstract:
Dobutamine is a cardiotonic agent, developed as a racemate more than 30 years ago. The compound soon got the label "the β(1)-selective adrenoceptor agonist". However, a closer examination of the enantiomers showed that (+)-dobutamine is predominantly a β(1)- and β(2)-adrenoceptor agonist with modest selectivity whereas (-)-dobutamine is predominantly an α(1)-adrenoceptor agonist. Nevertheless, rac dobutamine is still frequently used as a tool for classification of β-adrenoceptors. This ignorance of chirality may lead to erroneous conclusions and consolidate false labels.
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