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Acute effect of ephedrine on 24-h energy balanceEphedrine is used to help achieve weight control. Data on its true efficacy and mechanisms in altering energy balance in human subjects are limited. We aimed to determine the acute effect of ephedrine on 24-h energy expenditure, mechanical work and urinary catecholamines in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, two-period crossover study. Ten healthy volunteers were given ephedrine (50 mg) or placebo thrice daily during each of two 24-h periods (ephedrine and placebo) in a whole-room indirect calorimeter, which accurately measures minute-by-minute energy expenditure and mechanical work. Measurements were taken of 24-h energy expenditure, mechanical work, urinary catecholamines and binding of (+/-)ephedrine in vitro to human beta1-, beta2- and beta3-adrenoreceptors. Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure was 3.6% greater (8965+/-1301 versus 8648+/-1347 kJ, P<0.05) with ephedrine than with placebo, but mechanical work was not different between the ephedrine and placebo periods. Noradrenaline excretion was lower with ephedrine (0.032+/-0.011 microg/mg creatinine) compared with placebo (0.044+/-0.012 microg/mg creatinine) (P<0.05). (+/-)Ephedrine is a relatively weak partial agonist of human beta1- and beta2-adrenoreceptors, and had no detectable activity at human beta3-adrenoreceptors. Ephedrine (50 mg thrice daily) modestly increases energy expenditure in normal human subjects. A lack of binding of ephedrine to beta3-adrenoreceptors and the observed decrease in urinary noradrenaline during ephedrine treatment suggest that the thermogenic effect of ephedrine results from direct beta1-/beta2-adrenoreceptor agonism. An indirect beta3-adrenergic effect through the release of noradrenaline seems unlikely as urinary noradrenaline decreased significantly with ephedrine.
Document ID
20040141989
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Shannon, J. R.
(Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN 37232-2195, United States)
Gottesdiener, K.
Jordan, J.
Chen, K.
Flattery, S.
Larson, P. J.
Candelore, M. R.
Gertz, B.
Robertson, D.
Sun, M.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Clinical science (London, England : 1979)
Volume: 96
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0143-5221
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: PO1 HL 56693
CONTRACT_GRANT: 1U01 NS33460
CONTRACT_GRANT: RR00095
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
Randomized Controlled Trial
NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology
Clinical Trial

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