Beta-adrenergic blockade in ponies with recurrent obstructive pulmonary disease

Ponies with recurrent airway obstruction have hyperresponsive airways during acute disease exacerbations but not during clinical remission. We examined the effect of beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol on airway responsiveness to aerosol histamine in six ponies with recurrent airway obstruction and six age- and gender-matched controls. Measurements were made with principal ponies in clinical remission (period A) and during an acute period of airway obstruction (period B). beta-Adrenergic blockade did not change airway responsiveness, dynamic compliance (Cdyn), or pulmonary resistance (RL) in either group of ponies at period A or in the control ponies at period B. In principal ponies at period B, propranolol significantly increased RL but was without effect on Cdyn or airway responsiveness. We conclude that the beta-adrenergic system is involved in the control of central airway caliber in principal ponies at period B but that this system does not seem to be involved in the mechanism of airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine.