The β-adrenergic receptor agonist formoterol attenuates necrosis and apoptosis in the rat myocardium under experimental stress-induced cardiac injury.

Background: Currently, there is no effective therapy for takotsubo syndrome (stress-induced cardiac injury in humans) in the clinics. It has previously been shown that β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) agonist formoterol reduces cardiomyocyte injury in experimental takotsubo syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether formoterol prevents apoptosis and necrosis of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells in stress-induced cardiomyopathy.