[Influence of vagus nerve, histamine, prostaglandin and catecholamine on airway obstruction]

In three series of experiments, aerosols of acetylcholine, histamine, and Ascaris were administered in a maximal concentration before and after bilateral vagus transection. Vagotomy induced a clear reduction of the dynamic elastance increase by maintaining a constant breath volume. The persisting reaction of the dynamic elastance after vagotomy depends on the intensity of the reaction before vagus transection. Acetylcholine induced the largest reaction. Changes in epinephrine and norepinephrine were found to be variable, but an increase related to dynamic elastance increase could be assumed. Acetylcholine induced a maximal increase in thromboxane B2, and Ascaris induced preferentially a maximal increase in the prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite 15-Keto-13, 14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha. Vagotomy showed no influence on changes of thromboxane B2, prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite, or histamine in arterial plasma. The variability in changes of these metabolites may be the cause of the clinical differences in obstructive airway diseases.