Can albuterol help resistance exercise attenuate unloading-induced bone loss?

J Strength Cond Res. 2004 Nov;18(4):753-9. doi: 10.1519/R-13953.1.

Abstract

Hind-limb-suspended rats incur attenuated bone loss with beta(2)-agonists, and humans note similar changes with concurrent resistance exercise. To examine if the beta(2)-agonist albuterol helps resistance exercise reduce unloading-induced bone loss, human subjects performed 40 days of unilateral limb suspension with their left legs, otherwise refraining from normal ambulatory activity. While performing left leg strength training 3 days.week(-1), subjects received a concurrent placebo or albuterol (16 mg.day(-1)) treatment. Left leg muscle and bone changes were analyzed with 2 x 2 analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs). Mechanical loading values were calculated from workouts and compared using a 2 x 5 analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a Tukey post hoc test. The resistance exercise-albuterol assignment evoked significant (p < 0.05) left leg bone mineral content (BMC) gains (+2.24%) after 40 days. During the final unloading days, the resistance exercise-placebo group's mechanical loading data declined (-13.91%) significantly (p < 0.05) versus initial values. A resistance exercise-albuterol assignment likely increased BMC by maintaining the mechanical loading stimulus.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Adult
  • Albuterol / pharmacology*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Bone Density / physiology*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immobilization
  • Leg / physiology*
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Albuterol