Lubabegron (trade name Experior) is a veterinary drug used to reduce ammonia emissions from animals and their waste.[1] Ammonia emissions are a concern in agricultural production because of detrimental effects on the environment, human health, and animal health.[2]
Lubabegron was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2018 for use in feedlot cattle.[3][4] It is the first drug approved for reducing ammonia emissions.[5] It is also approved for use in Canada.[6]
Lubabegron is a beta-adrenergic receptoragonist/antagonist.[7] The antagonist activity of lubabegron at β1 and β2 receptors prevents the stimulation of the β-AR found in the heart (β1) and trachea/bronchi (β2) of humans and, in doing so, avoids the potential negative side effects associated with β1 and β2 receptor activation. The β1-AR and β2-AR antagonist behavior of lubabegron could decrease lipolysis in adipose tissue, whereas the β3-AR agonist activity could increase skeletal muscle hypertrophy, possibly due to the differences in the second messenger systems and enzyme expression in skeletal muscle compared with adipose tissues.[8]
