Some beta-adrenoceptor functions of the therapeutic interest

The availability of selective beta-receptor agonists such as terbutaline is a stimulus to research dealing with various beta-receptor functions. The aim of such work is to demonstrate the physiological importance of the hormonal or nervous activation of receptors and to establish a scientific basis for therapeutic trials with beta-receptor active drugs. A brief account is given of the therapeutic possibilities as related to certain beta-receptor functions in the biliary tract, the urinary tract, the lung and the uterus. It is concluded that many beta-receptor functions can be described as therapeutically interesting. The practical importance of beta-agonist therapy is at present confined to relatively few organs, in particular the lung and the uterus.