Background A possible role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the origin of antigen-induced airway ... more Background A possible role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the origin of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AI-AHR) has been scarcely investigated.Objective To explore the participation of different 5-HT receptors in the development of AI-AHR in guinea-pigs.Methods Lung resistance was measured in anaesthetized guinea-pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA). Dose–response curves to intravenous (i.v.) acetylcholine (ACh) were performed before and 1 h after antigenic challenge and expressed as the 200% provocative dose (PD200). Organ bath experiments, confocal microscopy and RT-PCR were additionally used. The 5-HT content in lung homogenates was measured by HPLC.Results Antigenic challenge significantly decreased PD200, indicating the development of AI-AHR. This hyperresponsiveness was abolished by a combination of methiothepin (5-HT1/5-HT2/5-HT5/5-HT6/5-HT7 receptors antagonist) and tropisetron (5-HT3/5-HT4 antagonist). Other 5-HT receptor antagonists showed three different patterns of response. Firstly, WAY100135 (5-HT1A antagonist) and ondansetron (5-HT3 antagonist) did not modify the AI-AHR. Secondly, SB269970 (5-HT7 antagonist), GR113808 (5-HT4 antagonist), tropisetron or methiothepin abolished the AI-AHR. Thirdly, ketanserin (5-HT2A antagonist) produced airway hyporresponsiveness. Animals with bilateral vagotomy did not develop AI-AHR. Experiments in tracheal rings showed that pre-incubation with LP44 or cisapride (agonists of 5-HT7 and 5-HT4 receptors, respectively) induced a significant increase of the cholinergic contractile response to the electrical field stimulation. In sensitized lung parenchyma strips, ketanserin diminished the contractile responses to ACh. Sensitization was associated with a ninefold increase in the 5-HT content of lung homogenates. Confocal microscopy showed that sensitization enhanced the immunolabelling and co-localization of nicotinic receptor and 5-HT in airway epithelium, probably located in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs). RT-PCR demonstrated that neither sensitization nor antigen challenge modified the 5-HT2A receptor mRNA levels.Conclusions Our results suggested that 5-HT was involved in the development of AI-AHR to ACh in guinea-pigs. Specifically, 5-HT2A, 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 receptors seem to be particularly involved in this phenomenon. Participation of 5-HT might probably be favoured by the enhancement of the PNECs 5-HT content observed after sensitization.Cite this as: P. Segura, M. H. Vargas, G. Córdoba-Rodríguez, J. Chávez, J. L. Arreola, P. Campos-Bedolla, V. Ruiz, L. M. García-Hernández, C. Méndez and L. M. Montaño, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 327– 338.
Naunyn-schmiedebergs Archives of Pharmacology, 1999
Organophosphates are still widely used worldwide and cause thousands of intoxications every year.... more Organophosphates are still widely used worldwide and cause thousands of intoxications every year. In this work we investigated the mechanisms of parathion (Pth) airway toxicity, using biochemical and functional approaches. A plethysmographic technique for unrestrained guinea pigs was used to analyze Pth-induced modifications of airway mechanics and responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh; 0.1–3.2 mg/ml, 2-min inhalation each dose). The isolated perfused rabbit lung preparation was used to study the acute effects of Pth on airway responsiveness to ACh (10–8–10–3 M), histamine (10–8–10–3 M) and substance P (10–10–10–6 M), pulmonary acetylcholinesterase inhibition and cytochrome P450 (P450) activity, and their modifications with previous administration of Pth (1 mg/kg s.c. daily, 7 days). We found that: (1) In guinea pigs Pth (3.2–17 mg/kg i.p.) produced a dose-dependent increase in a lung resistance index (iR l), which was greatly reverted (~50%) by salbutamol (2 mg/ml, 2-min inhalation, or 10 µg/kg i.p.). This salbutamol effect was transient (5–10 min), suggesting that this bronchodilator triggered additional obstructive mechanisms. (2) Pth increased the water content in lung parenchyma samples, but not in trachea or bronchi, and augmented the respiratory secretions measured through monosaccharide content in bronchoalveolar lavage. (3) The increase in iR l was greater in female animals, probably due to a higher P450 basal activity, and completely blocked by pharmacological inhibition of P450 with piperonyl butoxide (500 mg/kg i.p.). (4) In male guinea pigs a subclinical dose of Pth (10 mg/kg i.p.) induced airway hyperresponsiveness to ACh. In isolated perfused rabbit lung Pth (10–6 M) produced airway hyperresponsiveness to ACh and histamine, the latter prevented by atropine (10–5 M). (5) Repetitive exposure to subclinical doses (1 mg/kg s.c.) of Pth during 1 week caused ~80% inhibition of P450 activity in rabbits, which was not enough, however, to prevent the functional manifestation of Pth toxicity in the airways.
Summary— Prejunctional and postjunctional effects of several ozone (O3) concentrations, including... more Summary— Prejunctional and postjunctional effects of several ozone (O3) concentrations, including those found in highly polluted cities, were evaluated in guinea pig airways. Animals bred in O3-free conditions were exposed to air or O3 (0.3, 0.6 or 1.2 ppm) during 4 h, and studied 16–18 h later. Tracheal and bronchial rings were studied in organ baths. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) (100 V, 2 ms, 10 s) was given at increasing frequencies (0.25–16 Hz). Some tissues received atropine (2 μM) and/or propranolol (10 μM). Concentration-response curves to carbachol, isoproterenol, nitroprusside, and substance P were constructed. In tracheas, almost all O3 concentrations decreased the relaxation at low EFS frequencies, but had no effect on the propranolol-resistant (i-NANC) relaxation, suggesting that only adrenergic relaxation was affected. This was a prejunctional effect, since O3 did not modify the responses to isoproterenol. Relaxation induced by a nitric oxide (NO) donor, nitroprusside, was not affected by O3, which agrees with the lack of O3-effect on i-NANC system. O3 did not modify the EFS-induced e-NANC contraction in atropine-treated bronchi, nor the contraction caused by exogenous substance P. By contrast, in bronchi without atropine, 1.2 ppm O3 increased the e-NANC contraction induced by the highest EFS (16 Hz). O3 increased the maximum responses to carbachol in tracheas (1.2 ppm) and bronchi (0.6 and 1.2 ppm). In conclusion, we found that: a) O3 decreased adrenergic relaxation in guinea pig tracheas at low EFS frequencies through a prejunctional alteration; b) O3 did not modify the i-NANC relaxation in tracheas, at least the NO-mediated; c) O3 added a cholinergic component to the bronchial slow-phase (e-NANC) contraction evoked by EFS; and d) O3 enhanced the cholinergic responses in trachea and bronchi by a postjunctional mechanism.
Increased circadian variability of airway caliber is a key feature of asthmatic patients, but it ... more Increased circadian variability of airway caliber is a key feature of asthmatic patients, but it has not been addressed in animal models of asthma. Furthermore, animal studies on circadian rhythmicity of airway resistance are very scanty. We used a plethysmographic method for unrestrained guinea pigs to monitor a lung resistance index (iRL) during 24 h. We found circadian variability of iRL values, which were fitted by a sinusoidal curve. Acrophase and bathyphase, characterizing the timing of narrowest and widest airway caliber, respectively, were found at 02:03, and 15:34 h. iRL values at these time-points were statistically different (P<10−5). Moreover, average resistance during the dark period was significantly higher (P<0.0001) than during the light period. Immediately after an acute ozone exposure (3 ppm for 1 h) an increase in iRL was demonstrated (P<0.01), which lasted for 2 h, and tended to remain high for the next hour. After guinea pigs recovered from this obstruction, the circadian rhythm and variability of airway caliber were unaffected. Our results show that a circadian rhythm of iRL takes place in guinea pigs, greatly resembling what occurs in humans, and that ozone exposure causes a transient airway obstruction, but fails to reproduce the increased variability of airway caliber observed in asthmatic patients.
Background A possible role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the origin of antigen-induced airway ... more Background A possible role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the origin of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AI-AHR) has been scarcely investigated.Objective To explore the participation of different 5-HT receptors in the development of AI-AHR in guinea-pigs.Methods Lung resistance was measured in anaesthetized guinea-pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA). Dose–response curves to intravenous (i.v.) acetylcholine (ACh) were performed before and 1 h after antigenic challenge and expressed as the 200% provocative dose (PD200). Organ bath experiments, confocal microscopy and RT-PCR were additionally used. The 5-HT content in lung homogenates was measured by HPLC.Results Antigenic challenge significantly decreased PD200, indicating the development of AI-AHR. This hyperresponsiveness was abolished by a combination of methiothepin (5-HT1/5-HT2/5-HT5/5-HT6/5-HT7 receptors antagonist) and tropisetron (5-HT3/5-HT4 antagonist). Other 5-HT receptor antagonists showed three different patterns of response. Firstly, WAY100135 (5-HT1A antagonist) and ondansetron (5-HT3 antagonist) did not modify the AI-AHR. Secondly, SB269970 (5-HT7 antagonist), GR113808 (5-HT4 antagonist), tropisetron or methiothepin abolished the AI-AHR. Thirdly, ketanserin (5-HT2A antagonist) produced airway hyporresponsiveness. Animals with bilateral vagotomy did not develop AI-AHR. Experiments in tracheal rings showed that pre-incubation with LP44 or cisapride (agonists of 5-HT7 and 5-HT4 receptors, respectively) induced a significant increase of the cholinergic contractile response to the electrical field stimulation. In sensitized lung parenchyma strips, ketanserin diminished the contractile responses to ACh. Sensitization was associated with a ninefold increase in the 5-HT content of lung homogenates. Confocal microscopy showed that sensitization enhanced the immunolabelling and co-localization of nicotinic receptor and 5-HT in airway epithelium, probably located in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs). RT-PCR demonstrated that neither sensitization nor antigen challenge modified the 5-HT2A receptor mRNA levels.Conclusions Our results suggested that 5-HT was involved in the development of AI-AHR to ACh in guinea-pigs. Specifically, 5-HT2A, 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 receptors seem to be particularly involved in this phenomenon. Participation of 5-HT might probably be favoured by the enhancement of the PNECs 5-HT content observed after sensitization.Cite this as: P. Segura, M. H. Vargas, G. Córdoba-Rodríguez, J. Chávez, J. L. Arreola, P. Campos-Bedolla, V. Ruiz, L. M. García-Hernández, C. Méndez and L. M. Montaño, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 327– 338.
Naunyn-schmiedebergs Archives of Pharmacology, 1999
Organophosphates are still widely used worldwide and cause thousands of intoxications every year.... more Organophosphates are still widely used worldwide and cause thousands of intoxications every year. In this work we investigated the mechanisms of parathion (Pth) airway toxicity, using biochemical and functional approaches. A plethysmographic technique for unrestrained guinea pigs was used to analyze Pth-induced modifications of airway mechanics and responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh; 0.1–3.2 mg/ml, 2-min inhalation each dose). The isolated perfused rabbit lung preparation was used to study the acute effects of Pth on airway responsiveness to ACh (10–8–10–3 M), histamine (10–8–10–3 M) and substance P (10–10–10–6 M), pulmonary acetylcholinesterase inhibition and cytochrome P450 (P450) activity, and their modifications with previous administration of Pth (1 mg/kg s.c. daily, 7 days). We found that: (1) In guinea pigs Pth (3.2–17 mg/kg i.p.) produced a dose-dependent increase in a lung resistance index (iR l), which was greatly reverted (~50%) by salbutamol (2 mg/ml, 2-min inhalation, or 10 µg/kg i.p.). This salbutamol effect was transient (5–10 min), suggesting that this bronchodilator triggered additional obstructive mechanisms. (2) Pth increased the water content in lung parenchyma samples, but not in trachea or bronchi, and augmented the respiratory secretions measured through monosaccharide content in bronchoalveolar lavage. (3) The increase in iR l was greater in female animals, probably due to a higher P450 basal activity, and completely blocked by pharmacological inhibition of P450 with piperonyl butoxide (500 mg/kg i.p.). (4) In male guinea pigs a subclinical dose of Pth (10 mg/kg i.p.) induced airway hyperresponsiveness to ACh. In isolated perfused rabbit lung Pth (10–6 M) produced airway hyperresponsiveness to ACh and histamine, the latter prevented by atropine (10–5 M). (5) Repetitive exposure to subclinical doses (1 mg/kg s.c.) of Pth during 1 week caused ~80% inhibition of P450 activity in rabbits, which was not enough, however, to prevent the functional manifestation of Pth toxicity in the airways.
Summary— Prejunctional and postjunctional effects of several ozone (O3) concentrations, including... more Summary— Prejunctional and postjunctional effects of several ozone (O3) concentrations, including those found in highly polluted cities, were evaluated in guinea pig airways. Animals bred in O3-free conditions were exposed to air or O3 (0.3, 0.6 or 1.2 ppm) during 4 h, and studied 16–18 h later. Tracheal and bronchial rings were studied in organ baths. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) (100 V, 2 ms, 10 s) was given at increasing frequencies (0.25–16 Hz). Some tissues received atropine (2 μM) and/or propranolol (10 μM). Concentration-response curves to carbachol, isoproterenol, nitroprusside, and substance P were constructed. In tracheas, almost all O3 concentrations decreased the relaxation at low EFS frequencies, but had no effect on the propranolol-resistant (i-NANC) relaxation, suggesting that only adrenergic relaxation was affected. This was a prejunctional effect, since O3 did not modify the responses to isoproterenol. Relaxation induced by a nitric oxide (NO) donor, nitroprusside, was not affected by O3, which agrees with the lack of O3-effect on i-NANC system. O3 did not modify the EFS-induced e-NANC contraction in atropine-treated bronchi, nor the contraction caused by exogenous substance P. By contrast, in bronchi without atropine, 1.2 ppm O3 increased the e-NANC contraction induced by the highest EFS (16 Hz). O3 increased the maximum responses to carbachol in tracheas (1.2 ppm) and bronchi (0.6 and 1.2 ppm). In conclusion, we found that: a) O3 decreased adrenergic relaxation in guinea pig tracheas at low EFS frequencies through a prejunctional alteration; b) O3 did not modify the i-NANC relaxation in tracheas, at least the NO-mediated; c) O3 added a cholinergic component to the bronchial slow-phase (e-NANC) contraction evoked by EFS; and d) O3 enhanced the cholinergic responses in trachea and bronchi by a postjunctional mechanism.
Increased circadian variability of airway caliber is a key feature of asthmatic patients, but it ... more Increased circadian variability of airway caliber is a key feature of asthmatic patients, but it has not been addressed in animal models of asthma. Furthermore, animal studies on circadian rhythmicity of airway resistance are very scanty. We used a plethysmographic method for unrestrained guinea pigs to monitor a lung resistance index (iRL) during 24 h. We found circadian variability of iRL values, which were fitted by a sinusoidal curve. Acrophase and bathyphase, characterizing the timing of narrowest and widest airway caliber, respectively, were found at 02:03, and 15:34 h. iRL values at these time-points were statistically different (P<10−5). Moreover, average resistance during the dark period was significantly higher (P<0.0001) than during the light period. Immediately after an acute ozone exposure (3 ppm for 1 h) an increase in iRL was demonstrated (P<0.01), which lasted for 2 h, and tended to remain high for the next hour. After guinea pigs recovered from this obstruction, the circadian rhythm and variability of airway caliber were unaffected. Our results show that a circadian rhythm of iRL takes place in guinea pigs, greatly resembling what occurs in humans, and that ozone exposure causes a transient airway obstruction, but fails to reproduce the increased variability of airway caliber observed in asthmatic patients.
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Papers by Jaime Chavez