Dual effects of aspirin in guinea-pig lungs

Dual effects of aspirin were demonstrated in guinea-pig lungs: (a) aspirin (3.3 mg/kg i.v.) antagonized bronchoconstriction induced by slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A); (b) aspirin produced bronchoconstriction when injected in the presence of propranolol into guinea-pigs in vivo at 330 mg/kg, or into guinea-pig isolated lungs in vitro as a 4% solution (40 mg/ml). 2 The severity of bronchoconstriction following administration of aspirin was directly related to the degree of beta-adrenoceptor blockade and to the age of the guinea-pigs. Aspirin-induced bronchoconstriction was prevented in vivo and in vitro by atropine and it could be reversed in vivo by atropine. Aspirin-induced bronchoconstriction was not inhibited by vagotomy or phenoxybenzamine. 3 These data suggest that the mechanism involved in aspirin-induced bronchoconstriction may be local cholinergic stimulation and that reduced beta-adrenergic drive may be a predisposing factor.