Abstract:
Objective and design: The role of cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) in the acute allergic airway reaction in the pig was investigated, with focus on the effects on the bronchial circulation, and compared with histamine-induced effects. Material: 31 barrier-bred pigs were used, of which 24 pigs were actively-sensitised to Ascaris suum. Methods: Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) and histamine were injected intravenously (i.v.) and given as an aerosol to non-sensitised pigs. Seventeen animals, sensitised to Ascaris suum, were challenged with Ascaris antigen aerosol. The effect of MK-571, a CysLT1-receptor antagonist, on LTD4- and allergen-induced responses were investigated. Results: LTD4 (2 nmol/kg) i.v. injection increased the airways resistance (Raw) by 46 ± 20% and reduced bronchial vascular conductance (BVC) by 38 ± 2%. Both these effects were blocked by MK-571 (0.1 mg/kg i.v.). Histamine injections (i.v.) in equimolar doses caused similar dose-dependent increases in Raw, (22 ± 7%) but induced vasodilatation and an increase in BVC (22 ± 8%). Aerosolised LTD4 (4 nmol/kg) caused a decrease in BVC but did not affect Raw. In sensitised pigs, challenge with Ascaris aerosol led to an acute increase in Raw (198 ± 57%) and increase in BVC (62 ± 35%). MK-571 (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) pre-treatment did not significantly affect these responses (n = 9). Conclusions: LTD4 causes constriction of the pig bronchi and of the bronchial circulation via activation of the CysLT1 receptor and may counteract histamine-induced vasodilatory effects. However, in the allergen-induced acute airway response in the pig, cysLTs do not seem to be important bronchoconstrictive mediators.
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Received 1 June 2002; returned for revision 30 September 2002; accepted 12 December 2002 by M. J. Parnham
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ID="*"Correspondence to: K. Alving
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Sylvin, H., Kumlin, M. & Alving, K. Cysteinyl leukotrienes in porcine acute allergic airway reactions: bronchial and vascular effects. Inflamm. res. 52, 185–190 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110300070
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110300070