Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2026

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2010
Bradykinin-induced airway constriction in guinea-pigs: role of leukotriene D(4)
D J Turner1, K Gupta, X X Yang
1Department of Physiology, University of Western Australia, Australia.
Abstract:
Tachykinins (TK) have been implicated in both bradykinin-(BK) and hyperpnea-induced broncho-constriction (HIB) in the guinea-pig. However, TKs appear to have an indirect effect in HIB by releasing leukotriene (LT)D(4). We postulated that BK may cause bronchoconstriction through a cascade involving TK and LTD(4). We examined the role of TK and LTD(4)in BK-induced bronchoconstriction in ventilated Hartley guinea-pigs. Respiratory resistance (R(rs)) was monitored for 2 h following insufflation of BK (150 nM). Animals were pretreated with propranolol, then with either neurokinin (NK)1 (CP-99,994)+NK2 (SR-48,968) receptor antagonists or pranlukast (90 microg or 900 microg), an LTD(4)antagonist. Control animals received no pretreatment. BK-induced bronchoconstriction was significantly lower in NK1/NK2 (128%+/-6% baseline R(rs)SEM) and pranlukast (90 microg; 205+/-22, 900 microg; 169+/-20) animals compared to controls (284+/-22), P<0.0001 ANOVA. Bile from control and saline challenged animals was analysed for LTD(4)by HPLC and radio-immunoassay. However, LTD(4)excretion rate showed no significant difference over a 2-h collection period following insufflation of either BK or saline, respectively; baseline =2.5 pmol/h+/-0.6 SEM vs. 2.3+/-0.2, 0-1 h=2.8+/-0.7 vs. 2.0+/-0.6, 1-2 h=2.3+/-0.6 vs. 1.7+/-0.7. We conclude that BK-induced bronchoconstriction is mediated in part through the release of both TK and LTD(4), but the latter is released in insufficient quantities to be detectable by biliary analysis.
Related Concept Videos
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

