Increased in vitro responses of tracheal smooth muscle from hyperresponsive guinea pigs

Repeated aerosol antigen challenge of previously sensitized guinea pigs induces airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled acetylcholine. To determine the mechanism producing these airway changes and assuming that changes in the trachealis muscle reflect changes in muscle of the entire tracheobronchial tree, we examined the in vitro smooth muscle mechanics and morphometric parameters of tracheae from guinea pigs demonstrating hyperresponsiveness in vivo vs. tracheae from control guinea pigs. No differences between these groups were found in luminal volume at zero transmural pressure, passive pressure-volume characteristics, or area of airway wall. Smooth muscle areas were slightly less in tracheae from hyperresponsive guinea pigs. Tracheae from hyperresponsive guinea pigs had both significantly increased isovolumetric force generation and isobaric shortening compared with tracheae from controls when evaluated over the range of transmural pressures from -40 to 40 cmH2O. We conclude that the in vivo airway hyperresponsiveness induced with repeated antigen challenge is associated with both increased force generation and shortening of tracheal smooth muscle without increased muscle mass, suggesting enhanced contractile activity.     

Repeated antigen challenge induces airway hyperresponsiveness with tissue eosinophilia in guinea pigs

To test the hypothesis that the development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) lasting greater than or equal to 3 days after the last antigenic exposure required repeated mediator release, we compared dose-response changes in lung resistance (RL) to acetylcholine (ACh) in animals sensitized with 1% ovalbumin (OA), 4% Bordatella pertussis aerosol and subsequently challenged with 0.5% OA aerosol twice weekly for 4-6 wk vs. animals receiving saline aerosol instead of OA. Despite antihistamine pretreatment, each OA challenge produced cyanosis and inspiratory indrawing. Blood gas analysis in six guinea pigs revealed an immediate fall in arterial PO2 (PaO2) from 104.3 +/- 4.9 to 35.4 +/- 2.2 Torr after a 1-min exposure to aerosolized OA. ACh dose-response measurements of RL 3 days after the last OA challenge demonstrated a leftward shift and an increased magnitude of response. These differences were less marked at 7 days, and by 14 days after the last OA challenge, ACh dose-response curves were not different from those of control guinea pigs. Sensitization without repeated antigen challenge did not cause hyperresponsiveness. Morphometric analysis showed significantly increased numbers of eosinophils in the epithelium of airways in hyperresponsive guinea pigs, without neutrophil infiltration or alterations in epithelium and airway wall areas. We conclude that repeated antigenic challenge, but not sensitization alone, causes prolonged AHR in guinea pigs, which is associated with tissue eosinophilia.     

Inhaled bordetella pertussis vaccine decreases airway responsiveness in guinea pigs

Bordetella pertussis (BP) has been used as adjuvant for experimental animal immunization, but its effects on airway responsiveness are uncertain. Three groups of guinea pigs were used: animals with a single exposure to inhaled BP vaccine (strain 134, total dose 1.24 × 10¹²germs), animals submitted to a sensitization procedure through inhalation of ovalbumin plus BP and healthy control animals. Four weeks after inhalation of BP or after the beginning of sensitization, dose- or concentration-response curves to histamine were constructed in vivo and in vitro (tracheal and parenchymal preparations). We found that BP alone produced lower responses to histamine than control guinea pigs in vivo (insufflation pressure, p = 0.0003) and in tracheal tissues (p = 0.04), but not in parenchymal preparations. Sensitization did not modify the responsiveness compared with their respective controls. These results suggest that some BP component(s), probably pertussis toxin, causes a long lasting airway hyporesponsiveness in guinea pigs.     

Differences between inhaled and intravenous bronchial challenge to detect O(3)-induced hyperresponsiveness.

Ozone (O(3))-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in laboratory animals is usually demonstrated through dose-response curves with inhaled or intravenous bronchoconstrictor agonists. However, comparability of these two routes has not been well documented. Thus guinea pig airway responsiveness to ACh and histamine was evaluated 16-18 h after O(3) (3 parts/million, 1 h) or air exposure by two plethysmographic methods (spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated) and by two administration routes (inhalatory or intravenous). We found that O(3) caused airway hyperresponsiveness to intravenous, but not to inhaled, agonists, independent of the plethysmographic method used. Suitability of the inhalatory route to detect airway hyperresponsiveness was corroborated with inhaled ACh after an antigen challenge or extending O(3) exposure to 3 h. Acetylcholinesterase activity was not modified after O(3) exposure in lung homogenates and blood samples. Thus inhaled agonists were less effective to reveal the airway hyperresponsiveness after an acute O(3) exposure than intravenous ones, at least for the 1-h exposure to 3 parts/million, and this difference seems not to be related to an O(3)-induced inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase activity.     

Effects of immunological sensitization on the responses and sensitivity of guinea pig airways to bronchoconstrictors. Modulation by selective inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism

The force generated by tracheal spirals and lung parenchymal strips from normal and ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs was measured in vitro, after challenge with histamine, carbachol, leukotriene (LT) C4, LTD4, or a prostaglandin endoperoxide analog (U-44069). The responses and sensitivity of airway tissues to the above agonists were identical in normal and sensitized animals. Treatment of tracheal spirals with indomethacin (8.5 microM), phenidone (185 microM), and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA: 30 microM) reduced resting tension (tone) equally in both normal and sensitized trachea, but did not affect lung parenchymal strips from either group. The responses of tracheal spirals from normal and sensitized animals to low concentrations of histamine, carbachol, LTC4, and LTD4 were reduced or abolished by treatment with the above inhibitors. Responses to higher concentrations of the same agonists were significantly enhanced. In contrast, treatment of normal and sensitized trachea with indomethacin (2.8 and 8.5 microM) did not abolish or reduce the effects of low concentrations of U-44069. However, an enhancement of the effect of high concentrations occurred only on normal tracheal spirals, even though the control tissues from each group responded identically with U-44069 in the absence of any inhibitor. Parenchymal strips increased in sensitivity to histamine, but not carbachol, as a result of time, vehicle, or prior exposure to the drug. Inhibitor treatment did not affect sensitivity or responsiveness of parenchyma to histamine, carbachol, and U-44069, but the contractile activity of LTD4 on both normal and sensitized lung parenchymal strips was reduced by indomethacin, NDGA, and phenidone. We conclude that ovalbumin sensitization does not induce hyperreactivity of guinea pig airways.     

Enhanced lung C-fiber responsiveness in sensitized adult guinea pigs exposed to chronic tobacco smoke.

Tobacco smoke (TS) exposure induces bronchoconstriction and increases airway secretions and plasma extravasation in certain sensitive individuals, particularly those with asthma. C-fiber activation also induces these effects. Although the mechanism by which chronic TS exposure induces airway dysfunction is not well understood, TS exposure may enhance C-fiber responsiveness. To investigate the effect of chronic TS exposure on C-fiber responsiveness to capsaicin and bradykinin, especially in atopic individuals, we exposed ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized guinea pigs to TS (5 mg/l air, 30 min/day for 7 days/wk) or to compressed air. Nonsensitized guinea pigs were also exposed to either compressed air or TS. Beginning after 120 days of exposure, C fibers and rapidly adapting receptors (RARs) were challenged with capsaicin and bradykinin. TS exposure enhanced sensory receptor and airway responsiveness to both intravenous capsaicin and bradykinin challenge. C-fiber, RAR, and airway responsiveness to capsaicin challenge was greatest in OA-sensitized guinea pigs exposed to TS. OA alone induced capsaicin hyperresponsiveness at 5 microg. Airway responsiveness to bradykinin was also greatest in OA-sensitized guinea pigs exposed to TS. OA alone enhanced C-fiber responsiveness to bradykinin at 5 and 10 microg. C-fiber activation by either agonist appeared direct, whereas RAR activation appeared indirect. Therefore, a mechanism of airway hyperirritability induced by the combination of OA sensitization and chronic TS exposure may include hyperirritability of lung C fibers.     

Lack of adrenomedullin on antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs in vivo

Antigen challenge can provoke acute bronchoconstriction, recognized as immediate asthmatic response (IAR), but the evolving events in this reaction are not well defined. Recently, a novel peptide, designated adrenomedullin, was isolated from human pheochromocytoma, and has been shown to have potent systemic and pulmonary vasodilator activity.The purpose of this study was to elucidate the influence of adrenomedullin in the development of IAR. Passively sensitized guinea pigs were anesthetized and treated with diphenhydramine hydrochloride, and then artificially ventilated. Ovalbumin was inhaled after an intravenous administration of adrenomedullin. Other studies were performed in naive guinea pigs to investigate the airway responses to inhaled methacholine or histamine after an intravenous administration of adrenomedullin. Antigen challenge caused bronchoconstriction in sensitized guinea pigs. Adrenomedullin did not inhibit the antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in sensitized guinea pigs or the dose-dependent responses to inhaled methacholine or histamine in naive animals in spite of its vasodilating effect. We conclude that an intravenous administration of adrenomedullin does not influence antigen-induced bronchoconstriction or bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine or histamine in vivo.     

O3-induced mucosa-linked airway muscle hyperresponsiveness in the guinea pig.

We investigated the effects of ozone exposure (3.0 ppm, 2 h) on the responsiveness of guinea pig airway muscle in vitro from animals developing bronchial hyperreactivity. Muscarinic reactivity in vivo was determined by measuring specific airway resistance (sRaw) in response to increasing concentrations of aerosolized acetylcholine (ACh) administered before and 30 min after exposure. Immediately after reactivity testing, multiple tracheal rings from ozone- and air-exposed animals were prepared and the contractile responses to increasing concentrations of substance P, ACh, or KCl were assessed in the presence of 10 microM indomethacin with or without 1 microM phosphoramidon, an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase. Isometric force generation in vitro was measured on stimulation by cumulative concentrations of the agonists, and force generation (in g/cm2) was calculated after determination of muscle cross-sectional area. The smooth muscle of mucosa-intact airways from guinea pigs with ozone-induced bronchial hyper-reactivity proved to be hyperresponsive in vitro to substance P and ACh but not to KCl. Pretreatment with phosphoramidon abolished the increase in substance P responsiveness but had no effect on muscarinic hyperresponsiveness after ozone exposure. Furthermore, substance P responsiveness was not augmented in ozone-exposed airways in which the mucosa had been removed before testing in vitro. Likewise, muscarinic hyperresponsiveness was not present in ozone-exposed airways without mucosa. Our data indicate that airway smooth muscle responsiveness is increased in guinea pigs with ozone-induced bronchial hyperreactivity and suggest that this hyperresponsiveness may be linked to non-cyclooxygenase mucosa-derived factors.     

In vivo PAF-induced airway eosinophil accumulation reduces bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine

Chronic eosinophilic bronchitis and bronchial hyperresponsiveness have been considered to be the fundamental features of bronchial asthma. However, the role of airway eosinophils in bronchial responsiveness in vivo has not been fully discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct effect of airway eosinophil accumulation on bronchial responsiveness in vivo. Guinea pigs were transnasally treated with platelet activating factor (PAF) or vehicle twice a week for a total of 3 weeks. Anesthetized guinea pigs were surgically cannulated and artificially ventilated 48 h after the last administration of PAF or vehicle. Ten minutes after the installation of artificial ventilation, ascending doses of histamine were inhaled. In a subsequent study, selective inhibitors of diamine oxidase and histamine N-methyltransferase were intravenously administered before the histamine inhalation in the PAF-treated animals. Next study was conducted 20 min after treatment with indomethacin in this study line. Finally, ascending doses of methacholine were inhaled in our animal model. Proportion of eosinophils and the number of nuclear segmentation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid significantly increased in guinea pigs treated with PAF compared with vehicle and this finding was confirmed histologically. Nevertheless, bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine, but not methacholine, was significantly decreased by the PAF treatment. This bronchoprotective effect induced by PAF remained following aminoguanidine and histamine N-methyltransferase administration, but abolished by treatment of indomethacin. These results suggest that in vivo airway eosinophils may reduce nonspecific bronchial responsiveness through production of inhibitory or bronchoprotective prostanoids, but not through histaminase production.     

Repeated antigen challenge induced airway hyperresponsiveness to neurokinin A and vagal non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) stimulation in guinea pigs.

The effect of repeated weekly antigen challenges by aerosol on bronchopulmonary responses to ACh, histamine, neurokinin A or atropine-resistant (NANC) component of vagal stimulation, has been studied in guinea pigs. Bronchospastic responses were measured in anaesthetized animals, 7 days after the last challenge with antigen (or vehicle). No difference was observed between control and antigen challenged guinea pigs in their responsiveness to acetylcholine (1-300 mumol kg-1 i.v.) or histamine (1-300 mumol kg-1 i.v.). On the other hand, amplitude of bronchospasm induced by neurokinin A (1-3 mumol kg-1 i.v.) or NANC vagal stimulation (20 Hz, 1 msec, 10 V, trains of 5-20 sec) was significantly increased in guinea pigs previously challenged with antigen, as compared to controls. These results suggest that repetitive antigen exposure in sensitized guinea pigs generates an increase in the responsiveness to exogenously administered or endogenously released tachykinins, at a time when no generalized hyperresponsiveness to other spasmogens could be observed.     

Arachidonic acid metabolites do not mediate toluene diisocyanate-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs

Arachidonic acid metabolites have previously been demonstrated to mediate the airway hyperresponsiveness observed in guinea pigs and dogs after exposure to ozone. Guinea pigs were treated with indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor), U-60,257 (piriprost, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor), or BW775c (a lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitor) and exposed to air or 3 ppm TDI. Airway responsiveness to acetylcholine aerosol was examined 2 h after exposure. In control animals, the provocative concentration of acetylcholine which caused a 200% increase in pulmonary resistance over baseline (PC200) was significantly less (p less than 0.05) after exposure to TDI (8.6 +/- 2.0 mg/ml, geometric mean + geometric SE, n = 10) than after exposure to air (23.9 + 2.5 mg/ml, n = 14). The airway responsiveness to acetylcholine in animals treated with indomethacin or piriprost and exposed to TDI was not different from that of control animals exposed to TDI. Treatment with BW755c enhanced the airway hyperresponsiveness observed in animals exposed to TDI without altering the PC200 of animals exposed to air. The PC200 of animals treated with BW755c and exposed to TDI (2.3 + 0.8 mg/ml, n = 8) was significantly lower than the PC200 of control animals exposed to TDI (p less than 0.025). These results suggest that products of arachidonic acid metabolism are not responsible for TDI-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs. BW755c, however, appears to potentiate the TDI-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine by an as yet unidentified mechanism.     

Airway responsiveness and prostaglandin generation in scorbutic guinea pigs

Airway responsiveness to histamine aerosol and lung prostaglandin generation were investigated in normal, partially vitamin C deficient and scorbutic guinea pigs. The ascorbic acid content of the lung expressed as microgram/100 mg wet weight lung parenchyma decreased from 22.1 +/- 1.8 (mean +/- SE) in the control group to 9.0 +/- 1.4 and 1.8 +/- 0.4 in tissues from partially ascorbic acid deficient and scorbutic animals, respectively. Guinea pigs on low and ascorbic acid deficient diets developed significant airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine aerosol after 3 and 4 weeks. Indomethacin (30 mg/Kg, i.p.) further increased the airway hyperresponsiveness in scorbutic animals but was without effect in control animals. Prostaglandin generation from different parts of the lung was significantly changed by the diets. However, airway hyperresponsiveness was not directly attributable to altered prostanoid generation. Scorbutic conditions did not alter the electrophysiological characteristics of airway smooth muscle namely, resting membrane potential and electrogenic sodium pump activity. In summary, ascorbic acid deficiency causes airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine in guinea pigs. This alteration seems not to be related to an altered prostaglandin generation by the lung or to the electrophysiological properties of airway smooth muscle.     

Increased in vitro airway responsiveness in sheep following repeated exposure to antigen in vivo

We have studied the effect of repeated in vivo antigen exposure on in vitro airway responsiveness in sensitized sheep. Fourteen sheep underwent five biweekly exposures to aerosolized Ascaris suum antigen or saline. Following this exposure regimen, the animals were killed and tracheal smooth muscle and lung parenchymal strips were prepared for in vitro studies of isometric contraction in response to histamine, methacholine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and a thromboxane A2 analogue. No alteration in tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness was observed between saline- and antigen-exposed tissue. In contrast, by use of lung parenchymal strips as an index of peripheral airway responsiveness, significant increases in responsiveness to histamine and a thromboxane A2 analogue (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) were observed in antigen-exposed tissue compared with saline controls. These results demonstrate that repeated antigen exposure in vivo selectively increase the responsiveness of peripheral lung smooth muscle to certain chemical mediators of anaphylaxis.     

Development of chronic airway hyperresponsiveness in ragweed-sensitized dogs

We studied dogs neonatally sensitized to ragweed and their littermate controls at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 15 mo of age. Acute allergic airway response to inhalation of ragweed in the sensitized dogs was marked (greater than 12-fold increase from base line) and reproducible at all times. Nonallergic airway responsiveness, measured as the concentration of acetylcholine required to increase airway resistance by 5 cmH2O.l-1.s (PC5), increased in sensitized and decreased in nonsensitized dogs from 4 to 15 mo of age (P less than 0.01). Before antigen, at 12 and 15 mo, sensitized dogs were significantly (P less than 0.05) more responsive to acetylcholine than controls. Six hours after antigen, sensitized dogs were 11-fold more responsive (P less than 0.005) than controls at those times. More eosinophils and mast cells and fewer macrophages (P less than 0.05) were present in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from 12- and 15-mo-old sensitized dogs than their controls. BAL fluid histamine was higher (P less than 0.05) in sensitized than control dogs. Regression analysis revealed r = -0.75 (P = 0.003) between BAL mast cells and PC5 in sensitized dogs and R2 = 0.89 for PC5 and BAL mast cells, macrophages, and eosinophils. Neonatally sensitized dogs represent an excellent animal model in which to study the pathophysiology of asthma.     

Ozone increases susceptibility to antigen inhalation in allergic dogs

To determine whether O3 exposure increased airway responsiveness to antigen inhalation, we studied airway responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh) and Ascaris suum antigen (AA) before and after O3 in dogs both sensitive and insensitive to AA. Airway responsiveness was assessed by determining the provocative concentration of ACh and AA aerosols that increased respiratory resistance (Rrs) to twice the base-line value. O3 (3 parts per million) increased airway responsiveness to ACh in dogs both sensitive and insensitive to AA, and it significantly decreased the ACh provocation concentration from 0.541 +/- 0.095 to 0.102 +/- 0.047 (SE) mg/ml (P less than 0.01; n = 10). AA aerosols, even at the highest concentration in combination with O3, did not increase Rrs in dogs insensitive to AA. However, O3 increased airway responsiveness to AA in AA-sensitive dogs and significantly decreased log AA provocation concentration from 2.34 +/- 0.22 to 0.50 +/- 0.17 (SE) log protein nitrogen units/ml (P less than 0.01; n = 7). O3-induced hyperresponsiveness to ACh returned to the base-line level within 2 wk, but hyperresponsiveness to AA continued for greater than 2 wk. The plasma histamine concentration after AA challenge was significantly higher after than before O3 (P less than 0.01). Intravenous infusion of OKY-046 (100 micrograms.kg-1.min-1), an inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis, inhibited the O3-induced increase in responsiveness to ACh, but it had no effects on the O3-induced increase in responsiveness to AA and the increase in the plasma histamine concentration. These results suggest that O3 increases susceptibility to the antigen in sensitized dogs via a different mechanism from that of O3-induced muscarinic hyperresponsiveness.     

Heme oxygenase attenuates allergen-induced airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in guinea pigs

Heme oxygenase (HO), the heme-degrading enzyme, has shown anti-inflammatory effects in several models of pulmonary diseases. HO is induced in airways during asthma; however, its functional role is unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the role of HO on airway inflammation [evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cellularity and BAL levels of eotaxin, PGE(2), and proteins], mucus secretion (evaluated by analysis of MUC5AC gene expression and periodic acid-Schiff staining), oxidative stress (evaluated by quantification of 4-hydroxynonenal adducts and carbonylated protein levels in lung homogenates), and airway responsiveness to histamine in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and multiple aerosol OVA or saline-challenged guinea pigs (6 challenges, once daily, OVA group and control group, respectively). Airway inflammation, mucus secretion, oxidative stress, and responsiveness were significantly increased in the OVA group compared with the control group. HO upregulation by repeated administrations of hemin (50 mg/kg i.p.) significantly decreased airway responsiveness in control animals and airway inflammation, mucus secretion, oxidative stress, and responsiveness in OVA animals. These effects were reversed by the concomitant administration of the HO inhibitor tin protoporphyrin-IX (50 micromol/kg i.p.). Repeated administrations of tin protoporphyrin-IX alone significantly increased airway responsiveness in control animals but did not modify airway inflammation, mucus secretion, oxidative stress, and responsiveness in OVA animals. These results suggest that upregulation of the HO pathway has a significant protective effect against airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, oxidative stress, and hyperresponsiveness in a model of allergic asthma in guinea pigs.     

Thromboxane causes airway hyperresponsiveness after cigarette smoke-induced neurogenic inflammation

Matsumoto, Koichiro, Hisamichi Aizawa, Hiromasa Inoue,Mutsumi Shigyo, Shohei Takata, and Nobuyuki Hara. Thromboxane causes airway hyperresponsiveness after cigarette smoke-induced neurogenic inflammation. J. Appl.Physiol. 81(6): 2358-2364, 1996.We investigatedthe role of neurogenic inflammation and the subsequent mechanisms incigarette smoke-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs.Exposure to cigarette smoke was carried out at tidal volume for 3 min.Airway responsiveness to histamine was determined before and aftersmoke exposure followed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Plasmaextravasation was evaluated by measuring the extravasation of Evansblue dye in the airway. Cigarette smoke produced significant airwayhyperresponsiveness and plasma extravasation, with an influx ofneutrophils in BAL fluid. FK-224 (10 mg/kg iv), a tachykinin antagonistat NK₁ andNK₂ receptors, significantly inhibited these changes. The thromboxane (Tx)B₂ concentration was increased inBAL fluid after smoke exposure and was significantly inhibited byFK-224. OKY-046 (10 mg/kg iv), a Tx synthase inhibitor, significantlyinhibited airway hyperresponsiveness but had no effect on neutrophilinflux or plasma extravasation. The results suggest that neurogenicinflammation and the subsequent generation of Tx in the airway areimportant in the development of the airway hyperresponsiveness inducedby cigarette smoke.

     

Airway hyperresponsiveness to bronchoconstrictor challenge after wood smoke exposure in guinea pigs.

Prior airway exposure to wood smoke induces an increase in airway responsiveness to subsequent smoke inhalation in guinea pigs (Life Sci. 63: 1513, 1998; 66: 971, 2000). To further characterize this airway hyperreactivity, we investigated and compared the airway responsiveness to bronchoconstrictor challenge before and 30 min after sham air exposure or wood smoke exposure in anesthetized and artificially ventilated guinea pigs. Various doses of substance P (0.8-6.4 microg/kg), capsaicin (0.2-3.2 microg/kg), prostaglandin F2alpha (30-3000 microg/kg), histamine (1-8 microg/kg), or acetylcholine (5-20 microg/kg) were intravenously injected at 2-min intervals in successively increasing doses to obtain the dose required to provoke a 200% increase in baseline total lung resistance (ED200). Wood smoke exposure significantly lowered the ED200 of substance P, capsaicin, and prostaglandin F2alpha whereas sham air exposure failed to do so. Furthermore, wood smoke exposure did not significantly alter the ED200 of histamine or acetylcholine. Pretreatment with phosphoramidon (2 mg/kg), an inhibitor of the neutral endopeptidase (the major degradation enzyme of substance P), before smoke exposure did not significantly affect the smoke-induced reduction in ED200 of substance P. Sectioning both cervical vagi before smoke exposure did not significantly alter the smoke-induced reduction in ED200 of capsaicin or prostaglandin F2alpha. These results suggest that airway exposure to wood smoke acutely produces airway hyperresponsiveness to substance P, capsaicin, and prostaglandin F2alpha, but not to histamine or acetylcholine. Since the combination of phosphoramidon and wood smoke exposure did not result in an additive potentiation of smoke-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to substance P, it is suggested that an inhibition of the degradation enzyme of substance P may contribute to this increase in airway reactivity. Furthermore, vagally-mediated bronchoconstriction does not play a vital role in enhanced airway responsiveness to capsaicin or prostaglandin F2alpha.     

Chronic tobacco smoke exposure increases airway sensitivity to capsaicin in awake guinea pigs.

Tobacco smoke (TS) exposure induces airway hyperreactivity, particularly in sensitive individuals with asthma. However, the mechanism of this airway hyperreactivity is not well understood. To investigate the relative susceptibility of atopic and nonatopic individuals to TS-induced airway hyperreactivity, we exposed ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized and nonsensitized guinea pigs to TS exposure (5 mg/l air, 30-min exposure, 7 days/wk for 120-156 days). Two similar groups exposed to compressed air served as controls. Airway reactivity was assessed as an increase in enhanced pause (Penh) units using a plethysmograph that allowed free movement of the animals. After 90 days of exposure, airway reactivity increased in OA-TS guinea pigs challenged with capsaicin, bradykinin, and neurokinin A fragment 4--10 aerosols. In addition, substance P content increased in lung perfusate of OA-TS guinea pigs in response to acute TS challenge compared with that of the other groups. Airway hyperirritability was not enhanced by phosphoramidon but was attenuated by a cocktail of neurokinin antagonists, nor was airway hyperreactivity observed after either methacholine or histamine challenge in OA-TS guinea pigs. Chronic TS exposure enhanced neither airway reactivity to histamine or methacholine nor contractility of isolated tracheal rings. In conclusion, chronic TS exposure increased airway reactivity to capsaicin and bradykinin aerosol challenge, and OA-TS guinea pigs were most susceptible to airway dysfunction as the result of exposure to TS compared with the other groups. Increased airway reactivity to capsaicin suggests a mechanism involving neurogenic inflammation, such as increased activation of lung C fibers.     

Significance of thromboxane generation in ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in dogs

To determine whether thromboxane A2 may be involved in ozone (O3)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, we studied the effect of a thromboxane synthase inhibitor (OKY-046, 100 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1 iv) in five dogs exposed to O3. Airway responsiveness was assessed by determining the provocative concentration of acetylcholine aerosol that increased total pulmonary resistance by 5 cmH2O X l-1 X s. O3 (3 ppm) increased airway responsiveness as demonstrated by a decrease in acetylcholine provocative concentration from 2.42 (geometric SEM = 1.64) to 0.14 mg/ml (geometric SEM = 1.30). OKY-046 significantly inhibited this effect without altering pre-O3 responsiveness or the O3-induced increase in neutrophils and airway epithelial cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. To further examine the role of thromboxane A2, we studied the effect of a thromboxane A2 mimetic, U-46619, on airway responsiveness in five additional dogs. U-46619 in subthreshold doses (i.e., insufficient to increase base-line pulmonary resistance) caused a fourfold increase in airway responsiveness to acetylcholine. Subthreshold doses of histamine had no effect. These results suggest that thromboxane A2 may be an important mediator of O3-induced airway hyperresponsiveness.