A new bronchial asthma model using calcium ionophore A23187 in guinea pigs

We attempted to develop a nonimmunologically induced asthma model using the calcium ionophore A23187. Inhalation of A23187 (0.001-0.005%) for 5 min in male Hartley guinea pigs caused a marked bronchoconstriction in a dose-dependent manner with negligible effect on systemic blood pressure. The A23187-induced bronchoconstriction was strongly inhibited by chlorpheniramine and FPL-55712. These results indicate that an asthma-like bronchoconstriction was induced by inhalation of A23187 in guinea pigs, and the main chemical mediators involved in this response would be histamine and peptidoleukotrienes.