Mediators and oxygen radicals in hyperpnea-induced airway constriction of guinea pigs

Leukotrienes (LTs), tachykinins (TKs), and oxygen radicals have been suggested to be important modulating factors for the hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB) of guinea pigs. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that LTs and oxygen radicals modulate HIB by triggering TK release. Eighty-five Hartley guinea pigs were divided into four groups: control, dimethylthiourea (DMTU), FPL 55712, and A63162. DMTU is the scavenger for hydroxyl radical. FPL 55712 is an antagonist of LT receptor, whereas A63162 is an inhibitor of lipoxygenase. Each group was further divided into three subgroups: baseline, hyperpnea, and recovery. Each animal was anesthetized, cannulated, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated. We measured dynamic respiratory compliance (Crs), maximal expiratory flow at 50% total lung capacity (V(max(50))), and forced expiratory volume in 0.1 s (FEV(0.1)) during the baseline and recovery periods. Hyperpnea caused significant decreases in Crs, V(max(50)), and FEV(0. 1), indicating HIB in the control group. Pretreatment with DMTU, FPL 5712, or A63162 attenuated HIB. Plasma substance P (SP) levels increased progressively during the experiment in all groups. However, both FPL 55712 and A63162, but not DMTU, significantly decreased SP levels. Similarly, lung malondialdehyde (MDA) contents increased progressively during the experiment in the control group. Neither FPL 55712 nor A63162 significantly affected the increase. On the contrary, DMTU significantly attenuated the increase in MDA during the recovery period. These results suggest that inhibition of LTs leads to suppression at SP levels and HIB, whereas DMTU attenuates HIB by means of other mechanisms.