Alpha-2 receptors are also located postsynaptically in vascular smooth muscle and in the endothelial wall, which can mediate nitric oxide release and cause vasodilation.

Future research will continue to explore the function and regulation of both alpha- and gamma-type receptors, which may lead to other potential therapeutic targets.

It blocks the alpha 1 receptor of IL-13 but not the alpha 2 receptor. It's thought that this property gives it a regulatory effect favorable to its efficacy.

"Our next step is to determine which cells with the alpha 2 receptor are receiving signals from the sympathetic nervous system and play a role in C. difficile -mediated disease," Petri said.