Duration of action of inhaled vs. Intravenous beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists in an anaesthetized guinea-pig model.

We compared the duration of action of the short-acting alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol and the long-acting alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonists salmeterol and formoterol when administered iv or by inhalation in a histamine-induced bronchoconstriction model in the guinea-pig. Following aerosol dosing, maximal bronchoprotector effects were seen for salbutamol, salmeterol and formoterol at concentrations of 1 mg/ml, 100 microg/ml and 30 microg/ml respectively, giving a potency order of formoterol > salmeterol > salbutamol. All displayed similar maximum effects in this system. A maximal concentration of salbutamol showed bronchoprotection at 1 h but not at 3 h post-dosing whereas maximal concentrations of formoterol and salmeterol showed protection up to 5 h post-aqueous-aerosol dosing, giving a duration order of salmeterol > formoterol > salbutamol. All three alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonists showed dose-dependent bronchoprotection and duration of action following intravenous administration; salbutamol and salmeterol were equipotent and both were less potent than formoterol. Bronchoprotection obtained with sub-maximal concentrations of all three alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonists faded within 30 min following iv administration, but this could be extended by increasing the doses. These results demonstrate that the route of administration is important in determining the duration of action of alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonists in the lung. Furthermore, such findings lend support to the suggestion that the physico-chemical characteristics of salmeterol govern its duration of action rather than sustained binding of this agonist to a alpha(2)-adrenoceptor exo-site.

Effects of aerosol-applied capsaicin, histamine and prostaglandin E2 on airway sensory receptors of anaesthetized cats.

1. Capsaicin, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and histamine are potent stimuli for reflex coughing and bronchoconstriction in many species including man. We have studied the effects of solutions of capsaicin, PGE2 and histamine on airway sensory receptors when administered as inhaled aerosols to the lower respiratory tract in anaesthetized, paralysed and artificially ventilated cats. 2. Histamine, administered by aerosol (6 breaths of a 1 mg ml-1 solution) and intravenously (10 micrograms kg-1), caused an increase in the rate of discharge from rapidly adapting stretch receptors (RARs) and caused bronchoconstriction. 3. Six breaths of a capsaicin aerosol generated from solutions of 0.1 or 1 mg ml-1 stimulated six out of nine RARs tested. Bronchoconstriction occurred with and without RAR stimulation. The diluent for the capsaicin aerosol had no significant effect on pulmonary mechanics or rate of RAR discharge. 4. Administration of increasing concentrations (0.001-1 mg ml-1) of PGE2 aerosol given in six breaths (at 6 min intervals) caused a dose-dependent increase in the rate of discharge of eight RARs tested and caused bronchoconstriction. The diluent for the PGE2 aerosol had no effect on pulmonary mechanics or rate of RAR discharge. 5. Inhalation of aerosols of histamine (6 breaths of 1 mg ml-1 solution) and capsaicin (3 breaths of 0.1 mg ml-1 solution) stimulated all six lung C fibre endings studied (3 pulmonary and 3 bronchial). These aerosols of capsaicin and histamine also caused bronchoconstriction. 6. We conclude that solutions of capsaicin and PGE2, when delivered by aerosol to the airway epithelial surface, are not selective stimulants of C fibres. Both agents can stimulate RARs. Activation of some but not all RARs tested, by inhaled capsaicin, suggests that there are subpopulations of capsaicin-sensitive and -insensitive receptors. Stimulation of airway RARs by a range of pharmacologically active agents released by airway inflammation may contribute to reflex coughing and bronchoconstriction in man.