Beta-endorphin modulates anaphylactic contractions of tracheae isolated from actively sensitized guinea pigs

It has been shown that opioid peptides induce histamine release and enhance antigen-induced histamine release from isolated peritoneal mast cells. Little is known about the effect of opioid peptides on mast cells present in airway smooth muscle. In the present study, the effect of beta-endorphin on antigen-induced contractions of isolated tracheal rings from actively sensitized guinea pigs was studied. It appears that beta-endorphin has a bidirectional effect on anaphylactic contractions of the trachea. Low concentrations of beta-endorphin (0.1 and 10 nM) significantly potentiate the anaphylactic contractions of tracheal rings. In contrast, higher concentrations of beta-endorphin (0.1 and 1 microM) significantly suppress the anaphylactic contractions of guinea pig trachea. In the presence of the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, 10 nM of beta-endorphin still potentiates the anaphylactic contractions of the trachea. This demonstrates that the potentiation of anaphylactic contractions of guinea pig trachea by low concentrations of beta-endorphin is not mediated by opioid receptors. We speculate that the potentiation of the anaphylactic contraction by beta-endorphin is due to an interaction with mast cells.