Table 1

The β-adrenergic system

Target

Sympathetic receptor


Heart

Cardiac muscle

β1β2 increases

Heart rate

β1β2 increases

Blood vessels

Vascular smooth muscle

β2 relaxes

Smaller coronary arteries

β2 dilates

Hepatic artery

β2 dilates

Arteries to skeletal muscle

β2 dilates

Veins

β2 dilates

Respiratory system

Smooth muscles of bronchioles

β2 relaxes

Digestive system

Smooth muscle of gastrointestinal tract

β2 relaxes

Sphincters of gastrointestinal tract

β2 contracts

Kidney

β1 enhances renin secretion

Liver

β2 increases glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis

Adipose cells

β1β3 stimulates lipolysis

Urinary system

Detrusor

β2 relaxes

Sphincter

β2 relaxes

Reproductive system

Uterus

β2 relaxes

Nervous system

Ciliary muscles

β2 relaxes


de Montmollin et al. Critical Care 2009 13:230   doi:10.1186/cc8026