A method for the quantitative estimation of drugs on the isolated intact trachea

THE RESPONSES OF THE GUINEA-PIG ISOLATED INTACT TRACHEA TO TRANSMURAL STIMULATION AND THE RELEASE OF AN ACETYLCHOLINE-LIKE SUBSTANCE UNDER CONDITIONS OF REST AND STIMULATION

A preparation of the guinea-pig isolated intact trachea is described which allows transmural stimulation of the intrinsic nerves of the tracheal muscle with simultaneous measurement of the volume changes of the trachea caused by contraction or relaxation of the tracheal muscle. The apparatus allows fluid to be removed from the lumen and outside of the trachea for assay of acetylcholine. The response to transmural stimulation over a range of 1 to 50 shocks/sec is first a contraction followed by a relaxation. The contraction is best seen at high frequencies of stimulation and is abolished by atropine. The contraction is enhanced by treatment of the trachea with the anticholinesterase NN-diisopropylphosphodiamidic fluoride (mipafox), and is thus probably due to stimulation of intrinsic cholinergic nerves. The relaxation is maximal at low frequencies of stimulation. After treatment with mipafox a substance resembling acetylcholine is released in the absence of stimulation. The acetylcholine output rises following transmural stimulation, probably due to release of acetylcholine from cholinergic motor nerves. No relationship between frequency of transmural stimulation and release of acetylcholine has been seen in nine of ten experiments. The resting and stimulated release of acetylcholine is not greatly reduced by attempted separation of the tracheal muscle from the bulk of the trachea. This result suggests that acetylcholine outputs from the intact trachea are a measure of release from the smaller tracheal muscle.

Mechanisms of intrinsic tone in bullfrog lung: relaxant effects of indomethacin, ouabain and potassium

Bullfrog hemilungs showed minimal relaxation (9 +/- 2% of the maximal relaxant effect of theophylline, Imax) after a 16 h incubation in 10(-5) M indomethacin, indicating that prostaglandin synthesis plays little or no role in the high intrinsic tone characteristic of this preparation. A higher concentration of indomethacin (10(-4) M) produced greater relaxation (23 +/- 3% of Imax), but also markedly potentiated isoprenaline-induced relaxation. The interaction with isoprenaline was similar to that previously found for papaverine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Ouabain (10(-5) and 10(-4) M) produced an initial contraction followed by marked relaxation (50% of Imax), indicating that a ouabain-sensitive mechanism is of major importance in the maintenance of intrinsic tone. Ouabain-treated hemilungs showed reversal (relaxation) of the normal contractile response to 26 mM potassium and marked impairment of the contractile response to calcium in calcium-depleted preparations. These effects suggest that ouabain-induced relaxation reflects a drug action on calcium movements. The marked relaxation (30 to 40% of Imax) produced by 26 mM potassium in ouabain-treated hemilungs is of particular interest in that it indicates a mechanism of potassium-induced relaxation distinct from stimulation of sodium-potassium ATPase.

The Schultz-Dale reaction: a review

Vascular (pulmonary and hepatic blood vessels) and nonvascular (gastro-intestinal, reproductive and respiratory systems) smooth muscle preparations obtained from specifically sensitized animals of numerous species including man contract to specific antigen in vitro (Schultz-Dale phenomenon). This immunopharmacological technique is a useful tool to demonstrate immediate-type hypersensitivity in actively or passively sensitized tissues and may be used to investigate the nature of the principal pharmacological mediators involved in a particular tissue as well as to screen anti-anaphylactic (anti-allergic) drugs. However, much remains to be investigated on the complex mechanisms of action of antigen, desensitization and resensitization (recovery) of anaphylactic responsiveness.

A method for recording smooth muscle and vascular responses of the blood-perfused dog trachea in situ

1 A method is described for measuring responses of dog tracheal musculature and vasculature in situ. 2 The upper two thirds of the trachea was perfused with blood through both cranial thyroid arteries at a constant pressure. The blood flow through the arteries was measured with an electromagnetic flowmeter. The response of the tracheal musculature was measured as a change in pressure in a water-filled cuff inserted into the trachea via the mouth. Drugs were injected close-arterially. 3 Acetylcholine produced dose-dependent increases in blood flow rate (vasodilatation) and in tracheal intraluminal pressure (tracheal constriction). These responses were antagonized by atropine. 4 Isoprenaline produced vasodilatation which was blocked by propranolol. Adrenaline and noradrenaline caused vasocontriction which was blocked by phentolamine. 5 All three catecholamines produced a decrease in tracheal intraluminal pressure (tracheal dilatation). The tracheal dilatation in response to adrenaline and noradrenaline was converted to constriction by propranolol. The tracheal constriction thus unmasked was abolished specifically by phentolamine. 6 From these results it is concluded that the tracheal musculature and vasculature contain muscarinic receptors, and excitatory alpha- and inhibitory beta-adrenoceptors. In the tracheal musculature beta-adrenoceptors predominate over alpha-adrenoceptors; the reverse is true in the tracheal vasculature.

A new preparation of the isolated intact trachea of the guinea-pig

A preparation is described in which the guinea-pig isolated intact trachea is subjected to repeated transmural electrical stimulation with alternating square wave pulses. The intraluminal pressure is continuously sensed by a pressure transducer. An increase in the intraluminal pressure is the predominant response to electrical stimulation. This response is prevented by low concentrations of atropine. After the initial rise a small fall in intraluminal pressure occurs; this is prevented by low concentrations of propranolol. The sensitivity of the preparation to various drugs is described.

A pharmacological study of the toxin in a Cnidarian, Chironex fleckeri Southcott

1. A study has been made of the pharmacological actions of toxic preparations obtained from the box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri Southcott. Two toxin preparations were used. One was a tentacle extract which was partially purified by Sephadex gel filtration; the second was obtained by a process analogous to snake milking, and is probably similar in composition to the material injected into victims.2. All preparations were extremely toxic; death in animals, following minimally lethal doses, occurred in minutes. Respiratory arrest of central origin appeared to be the terminal event in all species tested. This was accompanied by marked signs of cardiotoxicity. The heart was slowed, irregular, and showed varying degrees of conduction delay. Terminally it showed atrioventricular block.3. Blood pressure changes were biphasic. An initial rise in carotid pressure was followed by a profound fall; a second rise to an above normal level frequently followed this. These blood pressure oscillations were damped down by prior treatment with hexamethonium but the hypertensive response remained.4. Blood samples taken before terminal apnoea showed a variable degree of haemolysis and a raised K(+) level.5. Experiments with isolated organ preparations suggested that the toxin had a non-specific lytic effect on cells, but did not contain pharmacologically active substances of small molecular weight such as 5-hydroxytryptamine.6. It is suggested that the toxin(s) act by altering membrane permeability; the signs at death may reflect the sensitivity of the target organs to such a change.