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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

In vitro Measurements of Tracheal Constriction Using Mice
Published on: June 25, 2012
Prostaglandin E2 receptor selective agonists E-prostanoid 2 and E-prostanoid 4 may have therapeutic effects on
Hiroshi Tanaka1, Satoshi Kanako, Shosaku Abe
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University school of Medicine, Japan. tanakah@sapmed.ac.jp
Background:
The pharmacologic actions of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) are mediated through specific E-prostanoid (EP)-1, EP-2, EP-3, and EP-4 receptors. In this study, we determined which PGE(2) receptor subtype(s) contribute to the prevention of allergen-induced bronchoconstriction.
Methods:
We assessed the effects of these receptor agonists in ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized guinea pigs. The prostaglandin E receptor-subtype agonists tested were ONO-DI-004 (EP-1), ONO-AE1-259 (EP-2), ONO-AE-248 (EP-3), ONO-AE1-329 (EP-4), and sulprostone (EP-1 and EP-3) [Ono Pharmaceutical Company; Osaka, Japan]. We treated the animals with either PGE(2) or these agonists 15 min before OA challenge and measured respiratory resistance at 15 min, 1 h, and 3 h.
Results:
Allergen-induced bronchoconstriction was significantly (p < 0.01) suppressed at doses > 85 nmol/kg of PGE(2). The respiratory resistance elevations 15 min after OA challenge were significantly (p < 0.01) suppressed by preadministration of EP-2 and EP-4 agonists, but airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine did not improve. EP-1, EP-3, or EP-1/EP-3 agonists had no effect on any parameter.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that inhibition of OA-induced bronchoconstriction by PGE(2) acts through EP-2 and EP-4 receptors.
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