Increased blocking activity of combined tachykinin NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonists on hyperventilation-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig.

In vivo anesthetized guinea pigs were used to investigate the effect of tachykinin NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonists, as a single dose or in combination, against hyperventilation-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB). Guinea pigs were ventilated with a rodent ventilator and placed in a whole-body plethysmograph. Hyperventilation was induced by increasing the respiratory rate from 50 to 185 breaths/min for 10 min that produced a 177+/-45% increase in pulmonary resistance (RL) and a 68+/-7% decrease in lung compliance (CDyn). Intravenous (0.03-0.3mg/kg) and oral (0.3-10mg/kg) pretreatments with the tachykinin NK2-antagonist SR 48968 produced a dose-dependent inhibition of HIB whereas pretreatments with the tachykinin NK1-antagonist CP 99994 (1mg/kg intravenously and 30 mg/kg orally) had no effect on HIB. Intravenous and oral combinations of inactive and low doses of CP 99994 and SR 48968 produced a greater inhibition of HIB than SR 48968 alone. Also, the tachykinin NK3-antagonist SB 223412 (1-3mg/kg intravenously and 30 mg/kg orally) did not significantly reduce HIB although a trend was observed at the highest dose tested intravenously (3mg/kg). We conclude that HIB in the guinea pig is mostly mediated by the tachykinin NK2-receptors and to a lesser extent by the tachykinin NK1-receptors. Because the hyperventilation response in guinea pigs may be a surrogate for exercise-induced obstructive airway disease in human, these results suggest that combined use of dual tachykinin NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonists may provide greater benefit than treatment with single activity tachykinin NK-receptor antagonist.

Mechanism of decongestant activity of alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists.

The vascular bed in nasal mucosa of different species, including human, is highly vascularized and an extensive sinusoidal network of large capacitance vessels is present deep within the submucosa. When this network of venous sinusoids is engorged with blood, the swollen mucosa reduces the size of the airway lumen and congestion ensues. Nasal vasculature tone is strongly influenced by the sympathetic nervous system and the only drugs approved specifically to relieve vascular nasal obstruction are alpha-adrenoceptor sympathomimetic agents. Due to their vasoconstrictor action, the sympathomimetic decongestants oppose vasodilation, reducing nasal airway resistance and thus facilitating nose breathing. However, standard decongestants that are non-selective alpha-adrenoceptor agonists are associated with the potential for side-effect liabilities including hypertension, stroke, insomnia and nervousness. We propose than a selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, by acting preferentially on nasal venous capacitance vessels, will elicit decongestion with a reduced side-effect liability. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist BHT-920 in a real-time tissue contractility assay using isolated pig nasal explants and in an in vivo cat model of congestion. The vasoconstrictor and decongestant effects of BHT-920 were compared to the non-selective alpha-adrenoceptor agonist epinephrine and the standard decongestant oxymetazoline. Our results showed that the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist BHT-920 preferentially contracts venous sinusoids confirming previous observations [Corboz MR, Varty LM, Rivelli MA, Mutter JC, Mingo G, McLeod R, et al. Effects of an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist in nasal mucosa. Arch Physiol Biochem 2003;11: 335-6, Corboz MR, Rivelli MA, Varty LM, Mutter J, Cartwright M, Rizzo CA, et al. Pharmacological characterization of postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptor in human nasal mucosa. Am J Rhinol 2005;19: 495-502] and displays decongestion without affecting blood pressure. Therefore, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, by causing constriction in the capacitance vessels of nasal mucosa, can produce nasal decongestion without the effects on blood pressure observed with the standard selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor and non-selective alpha-adrenoceptor sympathomimetic decongestants.

alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists as nasal decongestants.

Nasal congestion, one of the major disease features of rhinitis, is induced by the filling of venous sinusoids causing mucosal engorgement with resultant obstruction of nasal airflow. The only available drugs that directly target the underlying vascular features driving nasal obstruction are the sympathomimetic alpha-adrenoceptor agonists due to their vasoconstrictor action. However, standard decongestants are nonselective alpha-adrenoceptor agonists, which have the potential for side-effects liabilities such as hypertension, stroke, insomnia and nervousness. In the present study, the effects of nonsubtype selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonists BHT-920 and PGE-6201204 were evaluated in several isolated nasal mucosa contractile bioassays including dog, pig and monkey, and in a real-time tissue contractility assay using isolated pig nasal explants for BHT-920. The decongestant activity of PGE-6201204 was evaluated in vivo in a cat model of experimental congestion. Our results showed that alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonists (1) contract nasal mucosa of different species, (2) exert a preferential vasoconstrictor effect on the capacitance vessels (veins and sinusoids), and (3) elicit decongestion. In conclusion, a selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist causing constriction preferentially in the large venous sinusoids and veins of nasal mucosa and producing nasal decongestion is expected to show efficacy in the treatment of nasal congestion without the characteristic arterio-constrictor action of the standard nonselective sympathomimetic decongestants.

Increased blocking activity of combined tachykinin NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonists on tachykinergic bronchomotor responses in the guinea-pig.

1. The present study compared the effect of the administration of tachykinin NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonists alone and in combination on exogenous and endogenous tachykinin-induced contractions using three different guinea-pig airway preparations: isolated bronchus, isolated perfused lung and in vivo. 2. In the isolated bronchi, the tachykinin NK1-receptor antagonist CP 99994 (0.01-1 microM) produced concentration-dependent inhibition of contractions induced the tachykinin NK1-receptor agonists substance P (SP) and [Met-OMe11] SP ([Met-OMe11]SP), whereas the tachykinin NK2-receptor antagonist SR 48968 (0.1 microM) had no effect. SR 48968 (0.001-0.01 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited contractions induced by the tachykinin NK2-receptor agonists neurokinin A (NKA) and [beta-Ala8]-neurokinin A (4-10) ([betaAla8]-NKA) whereas CP 99994 (0.1 microM) did not inhibit the contractions. The contractile activity of capsaicin, an agent that releases endogenous tachykinins from sensory C-fibres, was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by SR 48968 (0.001-0.03 microM) but not by CP 99994 (0.1 microM). Combination of CP 99994 and SR 48968 caused increased inhibitory effects on the concentration-response curves to SP, [Met-OMe1l]SP, NKA, [beta-Ala8]-NKA and capsaicin. 3. In isolated perfused lungs, SR 48968 concentration (0.01-10 microM) dependently inhibited NKA-, [beta-Ala8]-NKA- and capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction whereas CP 99994 (30 microM) had no effect on SP-, NKA-, [beta-Ala8]-NKA- and capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction. Combination of inactive concentrations of CP 99994 and SR 48968 produced an increased inhibitory effect on all previous stimuli-induced bronchoconstriction. 4. In in vivo guinea-pig studies, intravenous and oral pretreatment with SR 48968 (0.01-1 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 0.1-3 mg kg(-1) p.o., respectively), but not with CP 99994 (1 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 0.3-30 mg kg(-1) p.o., respectively), produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the bronchoconstrictor responses induced by NKA, [beta-Ala8]-NKA and capsaicin. CP 99994 intravenously (0.3 mg kg(-1)) and orally (3-10 mg kg(-1)) inhibited SP-induced bronchoconstriction only. Intravenous and oral low dose combinations of CP 99994 and SR 48968 produced an increased inhibition of SP-, NKA-, [beta-Ala8]-NKA- and capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction, respectively. The present data indicate that combined tachykinin NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonist treatment compared with single antagonist treatment, using CP 99994 and SR 48968, produced an augmented blockade of tachykinin NK1-, NK2- and capsaicin-mediated contractions in guinea pig airways. These findings support the hypothesis that a dual NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonist may provide an advantage over single activity tachykinin NK1- or NK2-receptor antagonists in pulmonary obstructive diseases.

Pharmacological characterization of alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated responses in pig nasal mucosa.

1. Pig nasal mucosal strips were incubated with alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists followed by alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist concentration-response curves. 2. Contractions elicited by the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists BHT-920 (pD2 = 6.16 +/- 0.07), UK 14,304 (pD2 = 6.89 +/- 0.13) and PGE-6201204 (pD2 = 7.12 +/- 0.21) were blocked by the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (0.1 microm). In contrast, the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (0.03 microm) had no effect on the BHT-920-, UK 14,304- and PGE-6201204-induced contractions, but blocked the contractile response to the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (pD2 = 5.38 +/- 0.04) and the mixed alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist oxymetazoline (pD(2) = 6.30 +/- 0.22). 3. The alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (0.01-0.1 microm, pA2 = 8.04), alpha2B/C-adrenoceptor antagonist ARC 239 (10 microm, pK(b) = 6.33 +/- 0.21), alpha2A/C-adrenoceptor antagonist WB 4101 (0.3 microm, pK(b) = 8.01 +/- 0.24), alpha2A-adrenoceptor antagonists BRL44408 (0.1 microm, pK(b) = 6.82 +/- 0.34) and RX 821002 (0.1 microm, pKb = 8.31 +/- 0.35), alpha2C-adrenoceptor antagonists spiroxatrine (1 microm, pKb = 7.32 +/- 0.32), rauwolscine (0.1 microm, pKb = 8.16 +/- 0.14) and HV 723 (0.3 microm, pKb = 7.68 +/- 0.14) inhibited BHT-920-induced contractions in pig nasal mucosa. 4. The present antagonist potencies showed correlations with binding affinity estimates (pKi) obtained for these antagonists at the human recombinant alpha2A- and alpha2C-adrenoceptors (r = 0.78 and 0.83, respectively) and with binding affinity estimates (pKd) obtained in pig native alpha2A- and alpha2C-monoreceptor assays (r = 0.85 and 0.78, respectively). No correlation was observed for the alpha2B-subtype. 5. In conclusion, contractile responses to phenylephrine, BHT-920, UK 14,304, PGE-6201204 and oxymetazoline indicate that alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptors are present and mediate vasoconstriction in pig nasal mucosa. Furthermore, correlation analysis comparing antagonist potency in pig nasal mucosa with affinities for human recombinant alpha2-adrenoceptors and native pig alpha2-adrenoceptors suggest that alpha2A- and alpha2C-adrenoceptor subtypes constrict pig nasal mucosa vasculature.

Inhibitory activity of nociceptin/orphanin FQ on capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig.

In vivo studies were conducted in the guinea-pig to investigate the activity of the selective ORL1 receptor agonist nociceptin/orphanin FQ against capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction, a response mediated by the release of tachykinins from pulmonary sensory nerves. Anesthetized guinea-pigs were ventilated with a rodent ventilator and placed in a whole-body plethysmograph, and pulmonary resistance (R(L)) and dynamic lung compliance (C(Dyn)) were monitored. Intravenous administration of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (0.3 mg/kg) inhibited the capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction. The new nonpeptide ORL1 receptor antagonist 1-[(3R,4R)-1-cyclooctylmethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-piperidyl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (J-113397) administered intravenously (1 mg/kg) produced a significant blockade of the inhibitory effect of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (0.3 mg/kg) on capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction, whereas the nonselective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (1 mg/kg) had no effect. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (0.3 mg/kg) did not affect the bronchoconstriction induced exogenously by the tachykinin NK2 receptor agonist [beta-ala8]-neurokinin A (4-10). We conclude that nociceptin inhibits in vivo capsaicin-evoked tachykinin release from sensory nerve terminals in the guinea-pig by a prejunctional mechanism. This inhibitory action does not involve activation of opioid receptors.

Mechanism of substance P-induced liquid secretion across bronchial epithelium.

The present study was undertaken to identify and determine the mechanism of noncholinergic pathways for the induction of liquid secretion across airway epithelium. Excised porcine bronchi secreted substantial and significant quantities of liquid when exposed to acetylcholine, substance P, or forskolin but not to isoproterenol, norepinephrine, or phenylephrine. Bumetanide, an inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransport, reduced the liquid secretion response to substance P by 69%. Approximately two-thirds of bumetanide-insensitive liquid secretion was blocked by dimethylamiloride (DMA), a Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibitor. Substance P responses were preserved in airways after surface epithelium removal, suggesting that secreted liquid originated from submucosal glands. The anion channel blockers diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB) inhibited >90% of substance P-induced liquid secretion, whereas DIDS had no effect. DMA, DPC, and NPPB had greater inhibitory effects on net HCO(3)(-) secretion than on liquid secretion. Although preserved relative to liquid secretion, net HCO(3)(-) secretion was reduced by 39% in the presence of bumetanide. We conclude that substance P induces liquid secretion from bronchial submucosal glands of pigs through active transport of Cl(-) and HCO(3)(-). The pattern of responses to secretion agonists and antagonists suggests that the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mediates this process.

Tryptase-induced airway microvascular leakage in guinea pigs: involvement of tachykinins and leukotrienes.

Tryptase, a serine protease synthesized by and stored in mast cells, is implicated as an important mediator in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation. In this study, tryptase was evaluated for its ability to induce microvascular leakage into the airways of guinea pigs. Dose- and time-dependent increases in airway microvascular leakage were produced by intratracheal tryptase (0.3-3 microg). Intratracheal tryptase (3-30 microg) had no effect on airway tone as measured by pulmonary insufflation pressure. Tryptase-induced airway microvascular leakage was partially blocked by the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist CP 99994 [(+)-(2S,3S)-3-(2-methoxybenzylamino)-2-phenylpiperidine] and an inhibitor of leukotriene formation SCH 37224 (1-(1,2-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-phenyl-1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl)pyrrolidinium, hydroxide inner salt). Neither CP 99994 nor SCH 37224 inhibited tryptase proteolytic activity in-vitro. Pretreatment of guinea pigs with histamine H1 receptor antagonists or a tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist had no affect on the airway microvascular leakage induced by tryptase. It is speculated that tryptase may be important in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation, particularly in disorders that involve increased airway microvascular leakage such as asthma.

Postjunctional alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor contractility in human saphenous vein.

The postjunctional alpha(2)-adrenoceptor-mediated contractility was characterized in human saphenous vein derived from coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Human saphenous vein contracted to alpha(2)-adrenoceptor selective agonists BHT-920 (5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-6-(2-propenyl)-4H-thiazolo[4,5-d]azepin-2-amine dihydrochloride; pD(2)=6.7+/-0.1) and UK 14,304 (5-Bromo-6-(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino)quinoxaline; pD(2)=7.2+/-0.1). BHT-920-induced contractions were inhibited by the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (17-Hydroxy-yohimban-16-carboxylic acid methyl ester hydrochloride; pA(2)=8.7+/-0.5), but not by the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (1-[4-Amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolinyl]-4-[2-furanylcarbonyl]-piperazine hydrochloride; 300 nM). In contrast, prazosin (pK(b)=7.9+/-0.2) potently antagonized contractions elicited by the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine ((R)-3-Hydroxy-alpha-[(methylamino)methyl] benzenemethanol hydrochloride; pD(2)=4.9+/-0.1), indicating that both alpha(2)- and alpha(1)-adrenoceptor evoke human saphenous vein contractions. Functional antagonist activity estimates (pA(2) or pK(b)) obtained for the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists ARC 239 (2-[2-(4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl]-4,4-dimethyl-1,3-(2H,4H)-isoquinolindione dihydrochloride), WB 4101 (2-(2,6-Dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane hydrochloride) and HV 723 (alpha-ethyl-3,4,5-trimethoxy-alpha-(3-((2-(2-methoxyphenoxy) ethyl)amino)propyl)benzeneacetonitrile) against BHT-920-induced human saphenous vein contractions were 7.0+/-0.6, 8.3+/-0.6 and 7.7+/-0.3, respectively. The alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtype affinities (pK(i)) obtained in recombinant human alpha(2A)-, alpha(2B)- and alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor competition binding assays were 8.6, 8.3 and 8.6 for yohimbine; 6.3, 8.4 and 7.0 for ARC 239; 8.4, 7.5 and 8.4 for WB 4101 and 7.5, 7.4 and 7.9 for HV 723, respectively. Taken together, the binding and functional antagonist activity estimates obtained in these investigations indicate that alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor is the predominant postjunctional alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtype in human saphenous vein.

Differential effects of furosemide on porcine bronchial arterial and airway smooth muscle.

Furosemide attenuates airway obstruction in asthmatic subjects when administered as an aerosol pretreatment. This protective effect of furosemide could be related to relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle or to increased bronchial blood flow. To determine whether furosemide dilates bronchial smooth muscle, isometric contractile responses in distal bronchi from young pigs were studied. In bronchial smooth muscle rings that were precontracted with 10(-5) M acetylcholine, significant relaxation occurred with 10(-8) to 3 x 10(-6) M isoproterenol but not with 10(-8) to 10(-3) M furosemide. In contrast, bronchial arteries that were precontracted with either 10(-4) M norepinephrine or 10(-8) M vasopressin significantly relaxed in response to 10(-4) to 3 x 10(-3) M and 10(-3) to 3 x 10(-3) M furosemide, respectively. We conclude that furosemide, under the described experimental conditions, relaxes airway vascular smooth muscle but not bronchial smooth muscle. These results are consistent with previous suggestions that inhaled furosemide increases blood flow to airway tissues (Gilbert IA, Lenner KA, Nelson JA, Wolin AD, and Fouke JM. J Appl Physiol 76: 409-415, 1994).

Nociceptin inhibits capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction in isolated guinea pig lung.

The isolated perfused guinea pig lung was used to investigate the effect of nociceptin against bronchoconstriction elicited by endogenous and exogenous tachykinins. The opioid receptor-like 1 (ORL1) receptor agonist, nociceptin/orphanin FQ (0.001-1 microM) produced a dose-related inhibition of the capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction (10(-5)-10(3) microg) in isolated guinea pig lung (P<0.05), a response mediated by the release of endogenous tachykinins from lung sensory nerves. The new ORL1 receptor antagonist 1-[(3R, 4R)-1-Cyclooctylmethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-piperidyl]-3-ethyl-1, 3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (J-113397) (0.3 microM) significantly blocked the inhibitory effect of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (0.01 microM) on capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction, whereas the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (1 microM) had no effect. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (1 microM) did not affect the bronchoconstriction induced exogenously by the tachykinin NK2 receptor agonist neurokinin A. In conclusion, the present data provide evidence that nociceptin inhibits capsaicin-evoked tachykinin release from sensory nerve terminals in guinea pig lung by a prejunctional mechanism. This inhibitory action occurs independently from activation of opioid receptors. The present study also indicates that J-113397 is a potent ORL1 receptor antagonist.

Changes in nasal resistance and nasal geometry using pressure and acoustic rhinometry in a feline model of nasal congestion.

This is the first report describing the use and pharmacological characterization of nasal patency by both pressure rhinometry and acoustic rhinometry (AcR) in an experimental cat model of nasal congestion. In pressure rhinometry studies, aerosolized compound 48/80 (0.1-3.0%), a mast cell liberator, increased nasal airway resistance (NAR) 1.2 +/- 0.6, 5.8 +/- 0.5, 8.6 +/- 1.1 and 7.9 +/- 1.5 cmH2O.L/minute, respectively. Increases in NAR produced by compound 48/80 were associated with a 395% increase in histamine concentration found in the nasal lavage fluid. Pretreatment with the alpha-adrenoreceptor agonist, phenylpropanolamine (PPA; 0.1-3.0 mg/kg, i.v.), and the NO synthetase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg, i.v.) attenuated the increases in NAR produced by compound 48/80. The histamine H1 antagonist chlorpheniramine (1.0 mg/kg, i.v.) and the H2 antagonist, ranitidine (1.0 mg/kg, i.v.) had no decongestant activity. Also without decongestant activity were the muscarinic antagonist atropine, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, and the 5-HT blocker methysergide. Aerosolized histamine (0.1-1.0%) also produced a dose dependent increase in NAR. In studies using acoustic rhinometry (AcR), intranasal application of compound 48/80 (0.1-1.0%) elicited pronounced decreases in nasal cavity volumes and minimum cross-sectional area (Amin). Pretreatment with PPA (3 mg/kg, i.v. or 10 mg/kg, p.o.) attenuated the decreases in nasal volume and Amin. The effects of topical intranasal histamine (0.1-1.0%) on nasal geometry were similar to compound 48/80. We conclude that the cat is a useful model for evaluating the pharmacological actions of potential nasal decongestants. Furthermore, we also conclude that AcR is a useful method for noninvasive assessment of nasal patency in a preclinical setting.

Neural activity of supplementary and primary motor areas in monkeys and its relation to bimanual and unimanual movement sequences.

A chronic single-unit study of motor cortical activity was undertaken in two monkeys trained to perform a bimanually coordinated task. The hypothesis was tested that the supplementary motor area plays a specific role in coordinating the two hands for common goal-oriented actions. With this objective, a special search was made for neurons that might exhibit properties exclusively related to bimanual task performance. Monkeys learned to reach for and to pull open a spring-loaded drawer with one hand, while the other hand reached out to grasp food from the drawer recess. The two hands were precisely coordinated for achievement of this goal. Monkeys also performed, in separate blocks of trials, only the pulling or grasping movements, using the same hands as in the bimanual task. Task-related activity of 348 neurons from the supplementary motor area and 341 neurons from the primary motor area, each examined in the bimanual and in both unimanual tasks, was recorded in the two hemispheres. Most neurons from the supplementary motor area were recorded within its caudal microexcitable portion. Contrary to expectation, the proportion of neurons with activity patterns related exclusively to the bimanual task was small, but somewhat higher in the supplementary motor area (5%) than in the primary motor cortex (2%). Another group of neurons that were equally modulated during the bimanual as well as to both unimanual task components might also contribute in controlling bimanual actions. Such "task-dependent" rather than "effector-dependent" activity patterns were more common in neurons of the supplementary motor area (19%) than of the primary motor cortex (5%). Bilateral receptive fields were also more numerous among the supplementary motor area neurons. However, a large majority of neurons from primary and supplementary motor areas had activity profiles clearly related only to contralateral hand movements (65% in the primary motor and 51% in the supplementary motor area). A similar group of neurons showed an additional slight modulation with ipsilateral movements; they were equally common in the two areas (14% and 16%, respectively) and their significance for bimanual coordination is questionable. Summed activity profiles of all neurons recorded in the primary and supplementary motor areas of the same hemisphere were compared. The modulations of the three histograms, corresponding to the two unimanual and the bimanual tasks, were similar for the two motor areas, i.e. prominent with bimanual and contralateral movements and weak with ipsilateral movements. It is concluded that the supplementary motor area is likely to contribute to bimanual coordination, perhaps more than the primary motor cortex, but that it is not a defining function for the former cortical area. Instead, it is suggested that the supplementary motor area is part of a callosally interconnected and distributed network of frontal and parietal cortical areas that together orchestrate bimanual coordination.

Tachykinin NK1 receptor-mediated vasorelaxation in human pulmonary arteries.

Tachykinin NK1 receptors are present on human pulmonary arteries. Addition of the specific tachykinin NK1 receptor agonist, [Met-OMe11]substance P produced a concentration-dependent relaxation (0.1 nM to 100 nM) in pulmonary arteries preconstricted with phenylephrine (30 microM). The EC50 (agonist concentration needed to produce 50% of the maximal relaxation) value for [Met-OMe11]substance P was 3.7+/-0.7 nM. The relaxation induced by [Met-OMe11]substance P was selectively inhibited by the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist CP 99994 (1 nM), with a pKb of 9.9+/-0.3. Treatment with the tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist SR 48968 (100 nM) did not significantly affect the vasorelaxation due to [Met-OMe11]substance P (P > 0.05, one-way analysis of variance; ANOVA).

Effect of anion secretion inhibitors on mucin content of airway submucosal gland ducts.

In porcine bronchi, inhibition of both Cl- and HCO3- transport is required to block the anion secretion response to ACh and to cause mucus accumulation within ACh-treated submucosal gland ducts [S. K. Inglis, M. R. Corboz, A. E. Taylor, and S. T. Ballard. Am. J. Physiol. 272 (Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 16): L372-L377, 1997]. In this previous study, a combination of three potential HCO3- transport inhibitors [1 mM acetazolamide, 1 mM DIDS, and 0.1 mM dimethylamiloride (DMA)] was used to block carbonic anhydrase, Cl-/HCO3- exchange, and Na+/H+ exchange, respectively. The aim of the present study was to obtain a better understanding of the mechanism of ACh-induced HCO3- secretion in airway glands by determining which of the three inhibitors, in combination with bumetanide, is required to block anion secretion and so cause ductal mucin accumulation. Gland duct mucin content was measured in distal bronchi isolated from domestic pigs. Addition of either bumetanide alone, bumetanide plus acetazolamide, or bumetanide plus DIDS had no significant effect on ACh-induced mean gland duct mucin content. In contrast, glands treated with bumetanide plus DMA as well as glands treated with all four anion transport blockers were almost completely occluded with mucin after the addition of ACh. These data suggest that mucin is cleared from the ducts of bronchial submucosal glands by liquid generated from Cl(-)- and DMA-sensitive HCO3- transport.

Blood flow vs. venous pressure effects on filtration coefficient in oleic acid-injured lung.

On the basis of changes in capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc) in 24 rabbit lungs, we determined whether elevations in pulmonary venous pressure (Ppv) or blood flow (BF) produced differences in filtration surface area in oleic acid-injured (OA) or control (Con) lungs. Lungs were cyclically ventilated and perfused under zone 3 conditions by using blood and 5% albumin with no pharmacological modulation of vascular tone. Pulmonary arterial, venous, and capillary pressures were measured by using arterial, venous, and double occlusion. Before and during each Kfc-measurement maneuver, microvascular/total vascular compliance was measured by using venous occlusion. Kfc was measured before and 30 min after injury, by using a Ppv elevation of 7 cmH2O or a BF elevation from 1 to 2 l . min-1 . 100 g-1 to obtain a similar double occlusion pressure. Pulmonary arterial pressure increased more with BF than with Ppv in both Con and OA lungs [29 +/- 2 vs. 19 +/- 0.7 (means +/- SE) cmH2O; P < 0. 001]. In OA lungs compared with Con lungs, values of Kfc (200 +/- 40 vs. 83 +/- 14%, respectively; P < 0.01) and microvascular/total vascular compliance ratio (86 +/- 4 vs. 68 +/- 5%, respectively; P < 0.01) increased more with BF than with Ppv. In conclusion, for a given OA-induced increase in hydraulic conductivity, BF elevation increased filtration surface area more than did Ppv elevation. The steep pulmonary pressure profile induced by increased BF could result in the recruitment of injured capillaries and could also shift downstream the compression point of blind (zone 1) and open injured vessels (zone 2).

Dilatory effect of furosemide on rat tracheal arterioles and venules.

Furosemide pretreatment greatly reduces the severity of an asthmatic response to several types of bronchoconstrictor challenge. Indirect evidence suggests that furosemide exerts its protective effects by dilating the airway vasculature during thermal stress. To test the hypothesis that furosemide dilates airway microvessels, the tracheas of anesthetized rats were surgically exposed and continuously suffused with Krebs Ringer bicarbonate warmed to 37 degrees C. Tracheal adventitial arterioles (13.0 to 41.0 microns initial diameter, n = 47) and venules (50.0 to 99.0 microns initial diameter, n = 46) were visualized with a videomicroscope, and vessel diameters were measured using videocalipers. When vessels were preconstricted with 10(-4) M phenylephrine, a selective alpha 1-adrenergic agonist, and then treated with 10(-4) M furosemide, significant (p < 0.05) dilation was observed in both arterioles (from 64.6 to 79.5% of their initial diameter) and venules (from 52.1 to 65.4% of their initial diameter). When vessels were preconstricted with 10(-4) phenylephrine, after pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5.0 mg/kg), 10(-4) M furosemide significantly dilated arterioles (from 77.5 to 93.0% of their initial diameter) and venules (from 58.5 to 80.1% of their initial diameter). In vessels preconstricted with 10(-3) M L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, addition of 10(-4) M furosemide to the suffusion still caused significant dilation in arterioles, from 77.4 to 88.8% of their initial diameter, and in venules from 79.5 to 86.7% of their initial diameter. These data confirm that furosemide, when applied topically, dilates tracheal arterioles and venules by cyclooxygenase- and nitric oxide-independent mechanisms.

Chlorine gas induced acute lung injury in isolated rabbit lung.

This study was designed to investigate the pathogenesis of chlorine gas (Cl2) induced acute lung injury and oedema. Isolated blood-perfused rabbit lungs were ventilated either with air (n=7) or air plus 500 parts per million (ppm) of Cl2 (n=7) for 10 min. Capillary pressure, measured by analysing the pressure/time transients of pulmonary arterial, venous and double (both arterial and venous) occlusions, was unchanged in both groups. In Cl2-exposed lungs, the fluid filtration rate increased from -0.228+/-0.25 to 1.823+/-1.23 mL min(-1) x 100 g(-1) (p<0.001) and the filtration coefficient increased from 0.091+/-0.01 to 0.259+/-0.07 mL x min(-1) x cmH2O(-1) x 100 g(-1) (p<0.001). No changes were observed in the control lungs. The extravascular lung water/blood-free dry weight ratio was 8.6+/-1.6 in the Cl2 group and 4.0+/-0.5 in the control group (p<0.001), confirming that the increase in lung weight was related to accumulation of extravascular fluid. Although the alveolar flooding by oedema is explained, in part, by the Cl2-induced epithelial injury, our results suggest that Cl2 exposure induces acute lung injury and oedema due to an increased microvascular permeability.

In situ visualization of bronchial submucosal glands and their secretory response to acetylcholine.

Airway submucosal glands secrete both macromolecules and liquid, yet the mechanisms by which these substances are secreted are not well understood. In this study, a video microscope was used to directly visualize the submucosal glands in isolated porcine distal bronchi and to observe their responses to acetylcholine (ACh), a glandular secretagogue. Submucosal glands were classified as either "antral," "linear," or "convoluted" glands based on the morphology of their terminal collecting ducts. Because antral duct glands were most easily visualized, the response to ACh was studied in detail in this gland type. Within 5-10 s after addition of 10 microM ACh, the cross-sectional area of the gland duct openings to the airway surface increased severalfold but returned to pre-ACh dimensions within 1 min. Between 30 s and 10 min after ACh addition, spherical particles (1-10 microm) entered the antral ducts from distal acini and exited through the duct openings to the airway surface. Some of the particles were retained within the antral duct where they were kept in constant motion by the action of cilia present within the antral duct. The particles, which are likely to contain the macromolecular secretory products of mucous and/or serous cells, maintained their spherical shape within the gland duct, suggesting that the secretion product was membrane bound. To our knowledge, these studies provide the first description of airway submucosal gland secretion as viewed in situ.