Effect of PGE1 on immediate-type immunologic and pharmacologic respiratory responses of the rhesus monkey

The effect of prostaglandin (PG)E1 on the acute, immediate-type airway response to antigen, carbocholine, PGF2alpha, histamine, and physostigmine was studied. In contrast to isoproterenol, which affects all abnormalities of pulmonary function, PGE1 selectively reversed only abnormalities of pulmonary resistance and dynamic compliance. Prior exposure to PGE1 minimally inhibited airway responses but when given simultaneously with antigen, it either selectively inhibited some or dampened all pulmonary function abnormalities. It is suggested that PGE1 acts on receptor sites to produce transient bronchodilation primarily in large central airways in contrast to isoproterenol, which produces bronchodilation in all airways. These results may be consistent with the stimulation of different adenylate cyclase systems in the respiratory tract analogous to those suggested for the gastric mucosa.