Leukotriene D4-induced Contraction Research Articles

Tachykinin antagonist FK224 inhibits neurokinin A-, substance P- and capsaicin-induced human bronchial contraction.

To determine the roles of endogenously released tachykinins (substance P [SP] and neurokinin A [NKA]) in the human bronchial tissues, we studied the effects of tachykinin antagonist FK224 on bronchial smooth muscle contraction induced by SP, NKA and capsaicin in an organ bath. FK224 (10(-6) M and 10(-5) M, respectively) significantly inhibited NKA-induced contraction and 10(-5) M FK224 shifted the dose-response curve to more than one log unit higher concentration. Because SP- and capsaicin-induced contractions were small, we pretreated the tissues with the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor phosphoramidon (10(-5) M), which inhibits degradation of exogenous tachykinins in order to potentiate the contractions. FK224 (10(-5) M) significantly inhibited SP-induced contraction and it shifted the dose-response curves to about one log unit higher concentration. FK224 (10(-5) M) also significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced contraction and it shifted the dose-response curves to more than one log unit higher concentration. In contrast, FK224 (10(-5) M) did not affect on acetylcholine-, histamine-, and leukotriene D4-induced contraction. These results suggest that FK224 is a tachykinin receptor antagonist in the human bronchial smooth muscle, and that capsaicin-induced contraction is due to endogenously released tachykinin-like substances in the human bronchus.

Phosphoramidon augments contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle induced by histamine and leukotriene-D4.

Our previous studies have shown that the inhibition of neutral endopeptidase, an enzyme which degrades tachykinins, increases anaphylactic contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. Anaphylactic release of tachykinin-like substances was indicated. To investigate this observation further, we examined the effects of phosphoramidon, an inhibitor of a neutral endopeptidase, on contraction induced by mediators of anaphylaxis. Phosphoramidon significantly increased histamine- and leukotriene D4-induced contractions of tracheal rings from unsensitized animals (by 14 and 48%, respectively), but failed to alter the contractile responses to prostaglandins D2 and F2 alpha. In tracheal rings preincubated with tachykinin antagonist-[D-Pro4, D-Trp7,9]-substance P(4-11), or in capsaicin-desensitized tracheal rings, phosphoramidon did not change histamine- and leukotriene D4-induced contractions. In the second part of the study, performed on tracheal rings obtained from ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs, we examined the effects of phosphoramidon on contractile responses to histamine and leukotrienes which are released after antigen challenge. The incubation of tracheal rings with H1-histamine receptor antagonist (diphenhydramine HCl) or leukotriene receptor antagonist (ICI 198.615) prevented a phosphoramidon-dependent increase of antigen-induced contraction. These results indicate that histamine and leukotrienes may be involved in the anaphylactic release of tachykinin-like substances or other neutral endopeptidase substratum.

New bronchodilators. 3. Imidazo[4,5-c][1,8]naphthyridin-4(5H)-ones.

In order to develop new oral bronchodilators, a series of novel imidazol[4,5-c][1,8]naphthyridin-4(5H)-ones 5 were designed and synthesized. Some of these new heterocycles exhibited more potent bronchodilator activity in vitro and in vivo than theophylline. With respect to modification at the 5-position, both phenyl and n-butyl substitution produced potent activity. Though bulk tolerance at N-3 is observed with short and small lipophilic groups, any substitution at the other positions and transformations of the parent skeleton eliminated activity. Thus 5-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c][1,8]naphthyridin-4(5H)-one (23) (KF17625), which satisfied these conditions, was selected for further studies (antigen inhalation-induced bronchospasm model; minimum effective dose (MED) = 1 mg/kg, po; antigen-induced contraction of trachea (the Schultz-Dale reaction), IC50 = 2.2 microM). Compound 23 inhibited carbachol-, histamine-, or leukotriene D4-induced contraction and relaxed spontaneous tone in guinea pig isolated tracheal preparations with, 4- to 16-fold greater potency than aminophylline. Thus it appeared to relax directly the airway smooth muscle. 23 did not have any influence on adenosine binding at 10 microM, but inhibited canine tracheal phosphodiesterase (PDE) IV (IC50 = 12 microM) and concanavalin-A-induced histamine release from rat mast cells (44% inhibition at 10 microM). Although the detailed mechanisms of these compounds remain to be elucidated, this series of novel tricyclic heterocycles represents a new class of bronchodilator.

Immunopharmacological studies on TBX, a new antiallergic drug. (3). Inhibitory effects on histamine release from lung fragments and bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs.

The effects of 9-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one potassium salt (TBX), a new antiallergic drug, on histamine release from lung fragments, experimental asthma and isolated tracheal muscle were investigated in guinea pigs. TBX (10(-7) to 10(-4) g/ml) dose-dependently inhibited antigen-induced histamine release from lung fragments of guinea pigs passively sensitized with homologous IgE serum. Antigen inhalation-induced experimental asthma in passively sensitized animals was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by i.v. (1 to 5 mg/kg) and p.o. (10 to 100 mg/kg) administrations of TBX. In vivo bronchoconstriction by platelet-activating factor (PAF, i.v.) was also inhibited by TBX (0.3 to 10 mg/kg, i.v.). However, high concentrations of TBX (more than 3 x 10(-4) g/ml) were needed to inhibit PAF-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. With regard to the effect on isolated tracheal muscle, TBX itself at concentrations higher than 10(-5) g/ml induced dose-dependent reduction in the resting tonus, which was not affected by pretreatment with propranolol. Neither the leukotriene D4-induced contraction nor the prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced one was specifically antagonized by TBX. The results obtained indicate that TBX is an antiasthmatic agent effective in inhibiting both IgE- and PAF-induced bronchoconstriction, possibly by interfering with mediator release.

Immunopharmacological Studies on TBX, a New Antiallergic Drug (3) Inhibitory Effects on Histamine Release from Lung Fragments and Bronchoconstriction in Guinea Pigs

The effects of 9-methyl-3-(1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidm-4-one potassium salt (TBX), a new antiallergic drug, on histamine release from lung fragments, experimental asthma and isolated tracheal muscle were investigated in guinea pigs. TBX (10-7 to 10-4 g/ml) dose-dependently inhibited antigen-induced histamine release from lung fragments of guinea pigs passively sensitized with homologous IgE serum Antigen inhalation-induced experimental asthma in passively sensitized animals was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by i.v. (1 to 5 mg/kg) and p.o. (10 to 100 mg/kg) administrations of TBX. In vivo bronchoconstriction by platelet-activating factor (PAF. i.v.) was also inhibited by TBX (0.3 to 10 mg/kg, i.v). However, high concentrations of TBX (more than 3×10-4 g/ml) were needed to inhibit PAF-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. With regard to the effect on isolated tracheal muscle, TBX itself at concentrations higher than 10-5 g/ml induced dose-dependent reduction in the resting tonus, which was not affected by pretreatment with propranolol. Neither the leukotriene D4-induced contraction nor the prostaglandin F2α-induced one was specifically antagonized by TBX. The results obtained indicate that TBX is an antiasthmatic agent effective in inhibiting both IgE- and PAF-induced bronchoconstriction. possibly by interfering with mediator release.

Effect of nipradilol, a new beta-blocker, on leukotriene D4-induced contraction in guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle.

The relaxant effect on smooth muscle of nitro compounds is suggested to be linked with the increase in the tissue level of cyclic GMP by activating guanylate cyclase. In this study, we investigated the effects of nipradilol, a new beta-blocker, which has NO2 residue in the molecular structure, and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) on guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in comparison with the effect of propranolol. Nipradilol and ISDN showed dose-dependent relaxant effects on leukotriene (LT) D4-induced contraction of tracheal smooth muscle, though propranolol had no effect. 8-Bromo-cyclic GMP also showed a relaxant effect dose dependently. Nipradilol and ISDN elevated cyclic GMP levels in tracheal tissue dose dependently; however, propranolol caused no change in cyclic GMP levels. From these results, it is suggested that nipradilol relaxes LTD4-induced contraction of tracheal smooth muscle by increasing the tissue level of cyclic GMP.

Does thromboxane mediate the indirect contractile action of leukotriene D4 in guinea-pig isolated lung parenchyma under equilibrium conditions?

The role that thromboxane A2 plays in contractions induced by leukotriene D4 in guinea-pig isolated lung parenchyma was investigated under equilibrium conditions. Lung tissue generated thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin spontaneously as evidenced by the slow accumulation of their biologically inactive metabolites, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, in the bathing buffer. Challenge of guinea-pig lung parenchyma with a high concentration (EC90 for tension generation) of leukotriene D4 (200 nM) produced a biphasic contraction of the tissue that consisted of an initial rapid increase in isometric tension followed by a slowly developing, well-sustained contracture. In addition, leukotriene D4 (200 nM) effected a transient increase (over basal) in the generation of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin that lagged significantly behind the tension response. Kinetic analysis of the mechanical and eicosanoid-generating effect of leukotriene D4 revealed that tension development could be suitably fitted to a biexponential function, whilst the release of both eicosanoids from the lung occurred monoexponentially. Pretreatment of the lung with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, flurbiprofen, which effectively abolished both the spontaneous and the leukotriene D4-stimulated eicosanoid biosynthesis, significantly reduced both the first order rate coefficient of the first exponent and the maximum amplitude of this function with respect to control. This change in the kinetics describing leukotriene D4-induced contractions was explained by the fact that the initial rate of tension development was markedly reduced following pretreatment of the lung with flurbiprofen. Neither the inhibitor of thromboxane synthetase, dazmegrel, which selectively inhibited (by 95%) leukotriene D4-stimulated thromboxane A2 formation, nor blockade of 11 alpha,9 alpha-epoxymethano-prostaglandin H2 (U-46619)-sensitive (thromboxane A2) receptors with either AH 23848 or EP 092 affected the profile of leukotriene D4-induced tension development in guinea-pig lung. It is concluded that a high concentration of leukotriene D4 (200 nM) contracts guinea-pig lung by both a direct and indirect mechanism. Initially, a rapid short-lived contraction of the lung is manifest which is dependent, in part, upon the synthesis and release of cyclooxygenase product(s) other than thromboxane A2. This initial response occurs coincidently with, and is subsequently followed by, the development of a tonic well-sustained contracture that is the result of a direct action of leukotriene D4 on the contractile cells that comprise the lung.

Excitation-contraction coupling and uncoupling in airway smooth muscle.

Excitation-contraction coupling and uncoupling in airway smooth muscle.