摘要Background Recent research suggests that β_2-adrenergic agonists increase alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) under physiologic and pathologic conditions. It is unknown whether β_3-adrenergic agonists also increase AFC under pathologic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of β_3 -adrenergic agonists on AFC following hypoxic lung injury and the mechanisms involved.Methods Hypoxic rats were exposed to 10% oxygen. BRL-37344 (β_3-adrenergic agonist) or CGP-12177 (selective β_3-adrenergic agonist) alone or combined with β receptor antagonists, sodium channel blockers, or Na~+/K~+-ATPase blockers were perfused into the alveolar space of rats exposed to 10% oxygen for 48 hours. Total lung water content (TLW) and AFC were measured.Results AFC did not change for the first 24 hours but then decreased after 48-hour exposure to 10% oxygen. The perfusion of BRL-37344 or CGP-12177 significantly increased AFC in normal and hypoxic rats. The AFC-stimulating effect of CGP-12177 was lowered with amiloride (a Na~+ channel blocker) and ouabain (a Na~+/K~+-ATPase inhibitor) by 37% and 49%, respectively. Colchicine significantly inhibited the effect of CGP-12177.Conclusions These findings suggest that (β3-adrenergic agonists can increase AFC during hypoxic lung injury in rats and accelerate the amelioration of pulmonary edema.