Effect of ozone and histamine on airway permeability to horseradish peroxidase in guinea pigs

Tachykinins via Tachykinin NK(2) receptor activation mediate ozone-induced increase in the permeability of the tracheal mucosa in guinea-pigs

1. Acute exposure to ozone is known to cause airway hyperresponsiveness, which, at least in part, seems to result from an increase in the permeability of the airway mucosa. Recently, we demonstrated that depletion of sensory neuropeptides inhibits the ozone-induced increase in the permeability of the tracheal mucosa in guinea-pigs. The aim of this study was to determine whether tachykinins mediate ozone-induced increase in the permeability of the tracheal mucosa in guinea-pigs. 2. Anaesthetized guinea-pigs were exposed to either 3 p.p.m. ozone or filtered air for 30 min. Immediately after exposure, a tracheal segment was isolated in vivo and administered with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The permeability was assessed by monitoring the appearance of HRP in the blood. 3. A low dose of NKA increased the permeability of the tracheal mucosa, whereas a low dose of SP was without effect. Low and high doses of the selective NK(3) receptor agonist, senktide, were also without effect. The effect of a low dose of NKA was abolished by the NK(2) receptor antagonist, SR-48,968. A high dose of SP increased the permeability in a manner reversible by the NK(1) receptor antagonist, CP-96,345. 4. Pretreatment with SR-48,968 completely inhibited the ozone-induced increase in the permeability, whereas CP-96,345 had no effect. 5. It is thus concluded that endogenous tachykinins mediate the ozone-induced increase in the permeability of the tracheal mucosa in guinea-pigs mainly via NK(2) receptor activation.

Neuropeptides mediate the ozone-induced increase in the permeability of the tracheal mucosa in guinea pigs

We examined the effects of acute exposure to ozone on the permeability of the tracheal mucosa and the contribution of neural pathways to the effects of ozone using horseradish peroxidase (HRP; mol wt 40,000) as a marker of lumen-to-blood transfer of a macromolecule in guinea pigs in vivo. Each guinea pig was anesthetized and exposed for 30 min to either ozone [0.5 or 3 parts/million (ppm)] or air. Immediately after exposure, a tracheal segment was isolated between two polyethylene cannulas in vivo and filled with HRP solution (50 mg/ml). Blood samples were drawn before and 10, 20, 30, and 40 min after the intratracheal instillation of HRP. The plasma levels of HRP in guinea pigs exposed for 30 min to 3 ppm of ozone, but not to 0.5 ppm of ozone, were significantly greater than those in guinea pigs exposed to air. Although the increased plasma HRP levels after exposure to 3 ppm of ozone were unaffected by propranolol or atropine, they were completely inhibited by pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg/kg sc, injected in two doses). These results suggest that endogenous neuropeptides mediate the ozone-induced increase in the permeability of the tracheal mucosa in guinea pigs in vivo, but neither an adrenergic nor a cholinergic pathway appears to be involved.

Interaction of ozone exposure with airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation induced by trimellitic anhydride in sensitized guinea pigs

The effect of prior ozone (O3) exposure on airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation induced by trimellitic anhydride (TMA) has been investigated in TMA-sensitized guinea pigs. Airway responsiveness was measured as the concentration of acetylcholine needed to increase baseline lung resistance (RL) by 300% (PC300). Ozone (3 ppm for 3 h) caused an increase in -log PC300 at 1 h after exposure, with return of -log PC300 to control levels at 8 h. Ozone also increased baseline RL at 8 h. TMA challenge increase -log PC300 in TMA-sensitized guinea pigs at 8 h after challenge from 3.85 +/- 0.09 to 4.11 +/- 0.09. Ozone exposure prior to TMA challenge prevented the induction of airway hyperresponsiveness with a mean -log PC300 of 3.51 +/- 0.20, which was not different from that of control TMA-sensitized group. Baseline RL was significantly higher in ozone-pretreated animals after TMA challenge when compared to those of either control or challenged with TMA alone. Ozone had no effect on TMA challenge-induced BAL eosinophilia and neutrophilia. We conclude that a single exposure to ozone inhibits the increase in airway responsiveness but increases the bronchoconstrictor response induced by TMA in TMA-sensitized guinea pigs; however, the inflammatory airway response to TMA is unchanged by preexposure to ozone.

Effects of acute ozone exposure on the electrophysiological properties of guinea pig trachea

Acute ozone (O3) exposures produce an increase in the apparent permeability of the tracheal epithelium, but the mechanism of this response is poorly understood. Comparison of previous studies suggests that qualitative differences may exist between measurements made in vivo or in vitro. To test this possibility we used both in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological techniques to investigate the effects of O3 exposure on guinea pig tracheal epithelium. Male Hartley guinea pigs were exposed to either 1 or 2 ppm O3 or to filtered air for 3 h and were studied 0, 6, or 24 h after exposure. Air-exposed animals had in vitro mean tracheal potential (VT) -32.0 +/- 1.5 mV, conductance (GTL) 2.18 +/- 0.22 mS/cm, short-circuit current (ISCL) 62.6 +/- 3.7 microA/cm, and diameter (D) 2.44 +/- 0.10 mm. In vitro properties after 1 ppm O3 exposure did not differ at any time point from control. Two parts per million O3 increased ISCL, but only at 6 h postexposure. The effect of O3 on ISCL was abolished by amiloride. There were no significant changes in VT, GTL, or D. In vivo tracheal potential under pentobarbital anesthesia was -19.7 +/- 1.7 mV. At 6 h postexposure to 2 ppm O3, but not at 0 or 24 h, in vivo VT was increased. Thus, acute exposure of guinea pigs to a high concentration of O3 caused a delayed increase in Na+ absorption by the trachea with no change in conductance. This indicates that paracellular permeability of guinea pig tracheal epithelium was not substantially increased by acute O3 and suggests that enhanced macromolecular uptake in this species probably occurs transcellularly. Furthermore, the increase of in vivo VT following O3 exposure is consistent with the in vitro response, indicating that in vivo/in vitro differences are not responsible for the discrepancies between previous electrophysiological and "permeability" studies.

Combined effects of ozone and cigarette smoke on airway responsiveness and vascular permeability in guinea pigs

The effects of combined exposure to ozone and cigarette smoke on airway responsiveness and tracheal vascular permeability, compared with those of single exposure were examined in guinea pigs. Airway responsiveness was assessed by measuring the specific airway resistance (sRaw) as a function of increasing concentration of inhaled methacholine aerosol immediately, 5 hr, and 24 hr after exposure. In a parallel study, tracheal vascular permeability was quantified by measuring the tracheal extravasation of intravenously administered Evans blue dye. Neither exposure to 1 ppm ozone for 30 min nor 5 puffs of cigarette smoke increased airway responsiveness or vascular permeability at any time after exposure. Combined exposure to 1 ppm ozone for 30 min and 5 puffs of cigarette smoke caused airway hyper-responsiveness and increased vascular permeability immediately after exposure. Exposure to 1 ppm ozone for 90 min increased both airway responsiveness and vascular permeability immediately after exposure. Exposure to 10 puffs of cigarette smoke increased airway responsiveness but not vascular permeability immediately after exposure. Combined exposure to 1 ppm ozone for 90 min and 10 puffs of cigarette smoke increased both airway responsiveness and vascular permeability immediately after exposure. The combined exposure to ozone and cigarette smoke thus increased both airway responsiveness and tracheal vascular permeability to a greater extent than did exposure to a single agent, suggesting that a combination of air pollutants has a more deleterious effect both on airway responsiveness and on tracheal vascular permeability than does either agent alone in guinea pigs.

Interactive effects of O3, cytochalasin D, and vinblastine on transepithelial transport and cytoskeleton in rat airways

Cytoskeletal perturbations and associated changes in transepithelial transport in rat airways were analyzed after in vivo treatment with cytochalasin D or vinblastine or exposure to ozone (O3). Exposure of O3 or cytochalasin D, but not vinblastine, increased permeability in the bronchoalveolar region. Combined treatment with cytochalasin D and O3 did not increase the effect seen with each agent alone. However, treatment with vinblastine plus 0.8 ppm O3 resulted in a slight enhancement of permeability over that seen with O3 alone. This enhancement was not seen with 2 ppm O3. When cytochalasin and vinblastine treatment were combined, a synergistic effect on bronchoalveolar permeability was seen, suggesting participation of both microfilamentous and microtubular cytoskeletal elements in maintaining the integrity of the bronchoalveolar epithelium. Potentially harmful effects of O3 on cytoskeletal elements were confirmed in rat lung epithelial cells in culture. O3 exposure produced reversible changes in microfilamentous structures comparable to those produced by cytochalasin D. The results of these studies support the hypotheses that the cytoskeleton has a central role in maintenance of respiratory epithelial integrity and that a target for O3 toxicity may be the components of cytoskeleton. These results, however, do not rule out the possibility that treatment with cytoskeleton destabilizing drugs leads to the release of mediators, which in turn contribute to the airway epithelial dysfunction and increased permeability.

Dose-response relationship of ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in unanesthetized guinea pigs

The effect of ozone dose (the product of ozone concentration and exposure time) on airway responsiveness was examined in unanesthetized, spontaneously breathing guinea pigs. Airway responsiveness was assessed by measuring specific airway resistance (sRaw) as a function of increasing concentration of inhaled methacholine (Mch) aerosol (the concentration of Mch required in order to double the baseline sRaw: PC200Mch). The airway responsiveness was measured before and at 5 min, 5 h, and 24 h after exposure. A 30-min exposure to 1 ppm ozone (dose 30 ppm.min) did not change PC200Mch at any time after exposure. Both a 90-min exposure to 1 ppm ozone and a 30-min exposure to 3 ppm ozone, which are identical in terms of ozone dose (90 ppm.min), decreased PC200Mch to a similar degree. A 120-min exposure to 3 ppm ozone (360 ppm.min) produced a much greater decrease of PC200Mch at 5 min and 5 h after exposure, compared with low-dose exposure. There was a significant correlation between ozone dose and the change in airway responsiveness. In all groups, the baseline sRaw was increased by approximately 50% at 5 min after exposure, but there was no correlation between the changes in PC200Mch and the baseline sRaw. This study suggests that ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs is closely related to ozone dose.

Indomethacin and cromolyn sodium alter ozone-induced changes in lung function and plasma eicosanoid concentrations in guinea pigs

Male Hartley guinea pigs were given either indomethacin (IN), cromolyn sodium (CS), or no drug (ND) and then exposed either to filtered air or to 1 ppm ozone (O3) for 1 hr. At 2 or 24 hr postexposure, ventilation, respiratory mechanics, lung volumes, carbon monoxide-diffusing capacity (DLCO), and alveolar volume (VA) were measured, and in separate groups of animals, plasma eicosanoids (EC) were measured. Both drugs blocked the increase in flow resistance noted at 2 hr after O3 and prevented O3-induced increases in the wet lung weight to body weight ratio seen at 2 and 24 hr in the ND group. In the ND animals O3 also decreased total lung capacity (TLC), vital capacity (VC), functional residual capacity (FRC), and residual volume (RV). IN as well as CS blocked reductions in FRC and RV at both 2 and 24 hr after O3. TLC was reduced by both drug treatments in air- and O3-exposed animals. CS treatment also decreased VC in all groups. IN blocked reductions in VA after O3 but did not prevent decreases in DLCO. CS blocked reductions in both VA and DLCO after O3, but the drug decreased DLCO in air-exposed animals. The prostaglandins PGF2 alpha and 6-keto PGF1 alpha were largely unaffected by O3 exposure or drug treatment. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was not affected by O3, but both drugs significantly increased PGE1 in all exposure groups. Effects on plasma thromboxane B2 (TxB2) were variable although in most groups TxB2 was lower than in the O3-exposed ND groups. Although our findings suggest that both drugs block some effects of O3 exposure on the lungs and on plasma EC concentrations, the degree to which EC contribute to O3-induced pulmonary effects is not clearly apparent.

Airway permeability in rats exposed to ozone or treated with cytoskeleton-destabilizing drugs

Ozone (O3) exposure of rats increases airway epithelial permeability. We hypothesized that this increased permeability may be mediated by the epithelial cell cytoskeleton. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of cytoskeletal disruption on the transmucosal transport of tracers from airway lumen to blood and compared the results with the effects of O3 exposure. No increase in transport occurred following disruption of microtubules by vinblastine, but disruption of microfilaments with cytochalasin D resulted in increased transport of radiolabeled tracers [99mTc- and 111In-labeled diethylenetriamine-pentacetate (DTPA) and 125I-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA)]. In control rats, both horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and BSA, localized by cytochemistry and autoradiography, respectively, were detected on the epithelial cell surfaces and in endocytic vesicles. In rats treated with cytochalasin D or exposed to O3, the tracer molecules also penetrated the intercellular spaces, though the apical tight junctions remained devoid of the tracers. Increased numbers of endocytic vesicles containing HRP and aggregation of 125I-labeled BSA autoradiographic grains in the subepithelial region were also seen after either treatment. We conclude that destabilization of cytoskeletal elements following O3 exposure is a possible mechanism of increased transmucosal transport, which may be a combined effect of accelerated transport through both endocytic and paracellular pathways.

Effect of ozone exposure on lung functions and plasma prostaglandin and thromboxane concentrations in guinea pigs

Male Hartley guinea pigs were exposed either to filtered air or to 1 ppm ozone (O3) for 1 hr. At 2, 8, 24, or 48 hr after exposure we measured ventilation, respiratory mechanics, lung volumes, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and alveolar volume (VA) in anesthetized, tracheotomized animals. Respiratory frequency and tidal volume were unchanged in all groups. Pulmonary resistance was increased 2 hr after O3 but returned to control at 8 hr and thereafter. Prolonged reductions in lung volumes (total lung capacity, vital capacity, functional residual capacity, and residual volume) as well as in DLCO and VA occurred after O3, with maximum decreases at 8 and 24 hr postexposure. Increased ratios of wet lung weight to body weight were seen at 2, 8, and 24 hr. In separate groups of animals, also exposed either to filtered air or to 1 ppm O3, plasma eicosanoid (EC) concentrations were measured at 2, 8, 24, 48, or 72 hr after exposure. Significant increases in thromboxane B2 concentrations were seen at 2, 24, and 48 hr after exposure. Plasma concentrations of 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1 alpha) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) were increased at 24 hr and at 24, 48, and 72 hr, respectively. The nature of this long-term pulmonary response to a short-term exposure to O3 suggests alveolar involvement, including probable alveolar duct constriction and localized pulmonary edema. Although changes in plasma EC concentrations were observed concurrent with impaired lung functions, no simple causal relationship was apparent from these studies.