Abstract

The effects of propranolol and salbutamol on conventional pulmonary function tests and closing volume have been studied in ten normal subjects. Propranolol and salbutamol had minor effects on measurements of airways resistance but had no effect on closing volume which is particularly sensitive to changes in peripheral airways. It was concluded that propranolol had negligible overall effect on central and peripheral airways properties in normal subjects, and it would appear that β-adrenergic activity has little measurable influence on peripheral airways in normal man at rest.