Response of collateral channels to histamine: lack of vagal effect

A new technique using a monodispersed aerosol of histamine delivered to sublobar bronchi through a flexible fiber-optic bronchoscope was used to study the role of the vagus nerve and the effect of anesthesia in the response of collateral channels to exogenous histamine. Studies were performed in paralyzed dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium or alpha-chloralose. Challenges with histamine aerosol were delivered to separate bronchi in each animal before and after bilateral cervical vagotomy. Resistance through collateral channels increased in a reproducible manner following histamine challenge. Vagotomy resulted in no significant change in base-line resistance through collateral channels. The response of collateral channels to exogenous histamine aerosol was not significantly affected by vagotomy or the type of anesthesia used. We conclude that vagal reflexes do not play a significant role in the response of collateral channels to exogenous histamine.