Respiratory Muscle Function with Agonists
Abstract
Respiratory muscle agonists of pharmaceutical or chemical nature can be used to alter breathing. Pharmaceutical respiratory agonists can be significant to those suffering from pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this thesis pharmacological agonists such as aminophylline, salmeterol and vilanterol trifenatate/fluticasone furoate have been shown to work to improve respiration through improved respiratory muscle action. Measurements are made directly from the muscle, ushering in a new era of more direct and useable measurement techniques. Chemical agonists such as hypercapnia (high CO2) and hypoxia (low oxygen) can elicit changes in respiration and are used to elucidate and isolate the action of the pharmaceutical agonists. Respiratory measurements, like those taken in spirometery or pulmonary function tests, can tell us much about the condition of our respiratory system. It has long been assumed that functional residual capacity (FRC) is an “at rest” position for the respiratory system. A case study, included in this thesis, sheds light on this variable and challenges our views on “rest” within the respiratory system. The respiratory muscles may contain a basal level of tone, or foreshortening, shown after flaccid paralysis using sonomicrometry. Physiological data, both in its collection and analysis, requires skill and great care as to avoid bias and to maintain integrity and honesty in its reporting. The analysis process from beginning to end is a cornerstone of this research and mastery of its use is demonstrated throughout this thesis.
Description
Keywords
Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacology
Citation
Suneby Jagers, J. V. (2016). Respiratory Muscle Function with Agonists (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27650