Effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists on airway smooth muscle and on slow-contracting skeletal muscle: in vitro and in vivo results compared.

Ten beta-adrenoceptor agonists were examined with respect to a) relaxation of pilocarpine-contracted trachea and depression of contractions of the soleus muscle of the guinea-pig in vitro and b) counteraction of histamine-induced bronchospasm and depression of contractions of the soleus muscle of the cat in vivo. There was a close correlation between the results obtained in vitro and results obtained on the corresponding tissues in vivo in spite of the different species used. A close correlation was also observed between effects on airway smooth muscle and on the soleus muscle contractions in vitro as well as in vivo for all compounds examined.