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Salbutamol

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Introduction:
Asthma is a “chronic inflammatory disease of the airways” and causes difficulties in breathing due to the widespread narrowing of the bronchial airways1. Asthma can occur in people of all ages and affects approximately 10.2% of Australians (2011-12) 2. Generally asthma is reversible with or without treatment however over time damage may occur3. Therefore it is important for patients to manage their asthma well in order to maintain a healthy and quality lifestyle. One of the most effective treatments used to control asthma is Salbutamol. Salbutamol is a short acting B2 adrenergic agonist and it is mainly used for quick relief or to prevent the onset of asthma3. This essay will explain the physiology of the respiratory system and the effect on the system when a person has asthma. It will also discuss the use of salbutamol as a treatment for asthma.

Normal Physiology of the Respiratory system.
The lungs are the main organs in the respiratory system and they facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide when a person breaths. …show more content…

When this drug is inhaled or taken, it binds to the B2 adrenergic receptor which are “coupled to stimulatory G protein Gs” 3, 15, 16. The Gs protein is comprised of an alpha, beta and omega subunit 17. The activation of adenyl cyclase is caused by the alpha Gs, which catalyses the synthesis of cyclic AMP. As a result there is an increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP and protein Kinase A is activated 3,10. The protein Kinase A regulates the activity of an enzyme called myosin light chain phosphorylase. Decreased activation of myosin light chain phosporylase leads to relaxation of smooth muscles. The B2 adrenergic agonist also decreases Ca2+ intracellular concentration and it contributes to muscle relaxation3,16. Ultimately it leads to bronchodilation and allows enough oxygen to flow to the alveolar

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