Table 1 Summary of the experimental evidence focusing on β 2 AR in ageing
Tissue | Main experimental finding | Potential implications in age-related disorders |
|---|---|---|
Cardiovascular system | Age-associated decline in βAR sensitivity | Hypertension, Heart failure |
Skeletal muscle | β2AR agonists rescue age-dependent muscle weakness | Sarcopenia |
Airways | Decreased responsiveness to β2AR with ageing | Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
Brain | Increased β2AR density in Alzheimer’s disease | Senile dementia |
Immune system | β2AR induces a shift towards Th2 response | Autoimmune and inflammatory disorders |
Pancreatic islets | Impaired β2AR-mediated insulin release with age | Diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance |
Liver | β2AR density follows a J-shaped curve | Hepatocellular carcinoma |
Kidney | Increased β2AR density in aged rats | Glomerulosclerosis, hypertension |
Bone | β2AR stimulates reabsorption of bone tissue | Osteoporosis |