Effects of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) on the guinea pig trachea and ileum

Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) (10(-2)M) significantly inhibits contractions induced by potassium chloride and barium chloride on guinea pig ileum and trachea. The effects of DSCG against these spasmogens are greater on the guinea pig ileum than on its trachea, which may be related with the calcium ion if we take into account that the contraction of the latter preparation seems to be less dependent on the extracellular calcium concentration than the first one. DSCG (10(-2)M) inhibits contractions induced by electrical stimulation (0.1 Hz) but the action of exogenous acetylcholine is not affected. This effect supports a neural site of action for DSCG in the ileum. DSCG (10(-2)M) also suppresses contractions induced by electrical stimulation (20 Hz) on isolated guinea pig trachea. This effect of DSCG is concentration and time dependent. The fact that DSCG inhibits contractions induced by electrical stimulation in both, guinea pig ileum and trachea as well as atropine does, constitute evidence that either an inhibition of acetylcholine release from postganglionic parasympathetic fibers or an anticholinergic effect is involved in the mode of action of DSCG. These effects can be ascribed to membrane stabilizing properties of this antiallergic drug.