Dissociation between LPS-induced bronchial hyperreactivity and airway edema in the guinea-pig

The interactions between LPS-induced bronchial hyper-reactivity (BHR) and lung inflammation (LI) were investigated. LPS-induced LI was assessed with the augmented alveolo-capillary permeability (ACP) and with the increased migration of neutrophils into the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. BHR was defined as the increase in the response to a standard dose of serotonin. Mepyramine and the PAF antagonist WEB 2170 blocked LPS-induced increase of ACP, whereas aspirin was inactive. By contrast, neither LPS-induced neutrophil attraction to airways, nor LPS-induced HBR were inhibited by these agents. Our results indicate that LPS-induced edema and BHR are dissociated.