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GABAB receptors in the lung
R W Chapman1, J A Hey, C A Rizzo
1Schering-Plough Research Institutes, Kennleworth, NJ 07033.
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the lungs. Selective GABAB agonists show potential for treating respiratory diseases like asthma by inhibiting airway responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a key inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) and is also present in peripheral tissues like the lungs.
- Pharmacological research indicates that the GABAB receptor subtype plays a crucial role in regulating lung functions, more so than GABAA receptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of GABAB receptors in lung function.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of GABAB agonists in respiratory disorders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized selective ligands for GABAA and GABAB receptors in pharmacological studies.
- Examined the effects of GABAB agonists on various airway responses.
Main Results:
- GABAB receptor agonists demonstrated inhibitory effects on multiple airway functions.
- These functions include smooth muscle contraction, microvascular leakage, anaphylactic bronchospasm, and cough.
- The inhibitory effects were observed in neuronally induced responses mediated by cholinergic and tachykinin pathways.
Conclusions:
- The GABAB receptor is a significant regulator of lung physiology.
- Selective GABAB agonists may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for managing respiratory conditions such as asthma due to their ability to suppress key pathological mechanisms.