Lipid mediators contribute to oxygen-radical-induced airway responses in sheep

Rapidly adapting receptor activity during oxidative stress induced airway hyperresponsiveness

The responses of airway rapidly adapting receptors (RARs) to ovalbumin challenge and histamine were investigated in guinea pigs which were sensitized with ovalbumin. Sensitization alone increased the basal RAR activity. Antigen challenge stimulated them. Histamine doses which caused a 50% increase in airway resistance (ED50) were reduced immediately and 24h after antigen challenge indicating respectively early and late onset airway hyperresponsiveness. At these doses, there was a greater stimulation of the RARs compared to controls. An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in glutathione peroxidase were observed also. With oral intake of vitamins C and E, attenuations in the basal RAR activity, the responses of RARs to antigen challenge and the oxidative stress were observed. With an increase in ED50, the RAR response to histamine became similar as in control. It is concluded that by decreasing the RAR responses to allergen and histamine, antioxidants may reduce reflex bronchoconstriction occurring in asthmatics.

Hyaluronan blocks porcine pancreatic elastase-induced mucociliary dysfunction in allergic sheep

Neutrophil elastase is a mediator common to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis and thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of these diseases. Previously, we found that inhaled hyaluronan blocked elastase-induced bronchoconstriction in allergic sheep through its control of tissue kallikrein. Here, we extend those studies by determining if inhaled hyaluronan can protect against the elastase-induced depression in tracheal mucus velocity, a surrogate marker of whole lung mucociliary clearance. We measured tracheal mucus velocity in allergic sheep before, and sequentially for 6 h after, aerosol challenge with porcine pancreatic elastase alone and after pretreatment with 1.5 or 6 mg aerosolized hyaluronan. Elastase (2.55 U) decreased tracheal mucus velocity. Pretreatment with 6 mg, but not 1.5 mg, hyaluronan inhibited the elastase-induced decrease in tracheal mucus velocity. Hyaluronan (6 mg) given 1 h after elastase challenge was ineffective, suggesting the involvement of secondary mediators. The elastase-induced depression in mucus transport appeared to be mediated, in part, by reactive oxygen species and bradykinin because pretreatment with either aerosolized catalase (38 mg/3 ml) or the bradykinin B2-receptor antagonist HOE140 (400 nM/kg) was also effective in blocking the response. These latter two findings are consistent with oxygen radical-induced degradation of hyaluronan with concomitant loss of its regulatory effect on tissue kallikrein, resulting in kinin generation. This hypothesis is supported by the demonstration that hyaluronan failed to block the oxygen radical-induced fall in tracheal mucus velocity resulting from xanthine-xanthine oxidase challenge and that inhaled bradykinin itself can slow mucociliary transport.

Reducing agents inhibit the contractile response of isolated guinea-pig main bronchi

BACKGROUND

Oxidants are involved in many respiratory disorders, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Reduced glutathione (GSH), one of the most important antioxidant compounds against oxidant free radicals, is particularly abundant in the respiratory epithelial lining fluid, where its concentration is increased in inflammatory disorders.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that reducing agents may have a direct effect on airway smooth muscle. Therefore, we studied the effects of GSH on airway smooth muscle contractility in guinea-pig main bronchi. In parallel, we evaluated superoxide anion generation associated with in vitro bronchial smooth muscle contraction.

METHODS

Guinea-pig main bronchi were mounted in organ baths filled with Krebs-Henseleit solution. Concentration-response curves to acetylcholine (Ach) (10(-9)-10(-3) M), carbachol (10(-9)-10(-4) M), or histamine (10(-9)-10(-3) M) were performed in the presence or absence of either reduced or oxidized glutathione (GSSG) (10(-5)-10(-3) M). We also evaluated the effects of GSH and GSSG on allergen-induced contraction in main bronchi obtained from ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pig. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibited cytochrome c reduction kinetics was performed to evaluate superoxide anion (O2-) production during Ach-induced contraction.

RESULTS

Reduced but not oxidized glutathione significantly decreased smooth muscle contraction induced by Ach, carbachol, and histamine. Similarly, only the reduced form of glutathione attenuated the bronchoconstriction induced by allergen exposure in bronchi from sensitized animals. Finally, SOD-inhibited cytochrome c reduction kinetics demonstrated increased O2- production following bronchial smooth muscle contraction. This production was not affected by epithelium removal.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that GSH decreases bronchial smooth muscle contraction to different stimuli and that oxidant free radicals are produced during bronchial smooth muscle contraction. We suggest that oxidants are involved in the mechanisms of bronchoconstriction and that reducing agents could be a possible therapeutic option for airway obstruction sustained by bronchospasm.

Recombinant alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor blocks antigen- and mediator-induced airway responses in sheep

Alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor (alpha(1)-PI) is a natural serine protease inhibitor. Although mainly thought to protect the airways from neutrophil elastase, alpha(1)-PI may also regulate the development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), as indicated by our previous findings of an inverse relationship between lung alpha(1)-PI activity and the severity of antigen-induced AHR. Because allergic stimulation of the airways causes release of elastase, tissue kallikrein, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), all of which can reduce alpha(1)-PI activity and contribute to AHR, we hypothesized that administration of exogenous alpha(1)-PI should protect against pathophysiological airway responses caused by these agents. In untreated allergic sheep, airway challenge with elastase, xanthine/xanthine oxidase (which generates ROS), high-molecular-weight kininogen, the substrate for tissue kallikrein, and antigen resulted in bronchoconstriction. ROS and antigen also induced AHR to inhaled carbachol. Treatment with 10 mg of recombinant alpha(1)-PI (ralpha(1)-PI) blocked the bronchoconstriction caused by elastase, high-molecular-weight kininogen, and ROS, and the AHR induced by ROS and antigen. One milligram of ralpha(1)-PI was ineffective. These are the first in vivo data demonstrating the effects of ralpha(1)-PI. Our results are consistent with and extend findings obtained with human plasma-derived alpha(1)-PI and suggest that alpha(1)-PI may be important in the regulation of airway responsiveness.

Relaxant effect of oxygen free radicals on rabbit tracheal smooth muscle

We investigated the effect of exogenously generated superoxide anions (O(2)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and hydroxyl radicals (.OH) on isolated rabbit tracheal smooth muscle suspended in Krebs-Ringer solution. The ability of oxygen free radicals (OFRs) to affect acetyicholine (Ach)-induced contraction in these muscles was also investigated. OFRs, in general, produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the tracheal smooth muscle in the doses used. However, in large concentrations, O(2)(-) and H(2)O(2) produced effects which were smaller than those obtained with lower concentrations. The relaxant effects of these oxyradicals were progressive and lasted throughout the 20min observation period. At all concentrations used, the OFRs tended to abolish or reduce Ach-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. O(2)(-) was more potent than H(2)O(2) or DHF in relaxing the Ach-precontracted muscle and in inhibiting the response of the muscle to Ach. OFR-induced relaxation of the Ach-contracted muscle was not due to inactivation of the Ach by OFRs. Relaxation produced by OFRs was greater in preparations with intact epithelium than in those denuded of epithelium. The relaxant effects were blocked by indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. OFRs in the presence of indomethacin produced contraction only in the preparations with intact epithelium, suggesting a release of contractile factor(s) from epithelium. These results suggest that OFRs relax rabbit tracheal smooth muscle. The relaxation appears to be mediated through the synthesis and release of prostaglandins from the epithelium and smooth muscles.

Effects of unilateral bronchoconstriction on distribution of aerosols in ovine airways

The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of unilateral bronchoconstriction on the deposition patterns of aerosolized particles in a sheep model. Unilateral bronchoconstriction was induced in intubated conscious sheep by placing a protective, obstructing balloon catheter in either main bronchus, prior to administration of aerosolized carbachol at a dose that increased pulmonary resistance by 200-400% above baseline. The catheter was then removed and the animals were positioned under a gamma camera. An equilibrium image was obtained with xenon (133Xe), to determine a lung outline that was used to calculate the proportion of counts in each lung. Aerosols, labeled with technetium (99mTc) and generated by two jet nebulizers, were inhaled tidally by the sheep in serial experiments. (For nebulizer A, mass median aerodynamic diameter [MMAD] = 0.39 microm; for nebulizer B, MMAD = 1.1 microm.) For nebulizer A, percentage deposition in the treated and untreated lungs was not significantly different (50.8% versus 49.2%, respectively), while for nebulizer B, the median deposition in the carbachol treated lung was significantly greater than in the untreated lung (55.8% versus 44.2% respectively; p = 0.005). There was a more central pattern of deposition in the treated lung than in the untreated lung for both nebulizers, but the degree of central deposition was significantly greater with nebulizer B. The findings of the present study suggest that regional obstruction does not preclude the delivery of therapeutic aerosols to the airways in such a region, and may, depending on the size of the aerosol, result in enhanced airway deposition relative to less obstructed regions.

Induction by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase of hyperresponsiveness in the human nasal airway

1. The effects of inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on the responsiveness of the human nasal airway were investigated, by measuring the nasal response to histamine and bradykinin. 2. Repeated intranasal administration of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), 1 micromol per nostril every 30 min for 6 h, increased the nasal obstruction induced by histamine, 50 - 500 microg, and bradykinin, 200 microg per nostril. A single administration of L-NAME, 1 micromol per nostril did not induce hyperresponsiveness to histamine. 3. Pretreatment with L-arginine, 30 micromol, abolished the hyperresponsiveness to histamine caused by L-NAME, 1 micromol. Pretreatment with N(G)-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME), 1 micromol, did not induce hyperresponsiveness to histamine. 4. Repeated administration of L-NAME, 1 micromol, caused a significant reduction in the amount of nitric oxide measured in the nasal cavity. 5. Neither L-NMMA, 1 micromol, nor L-arginine, 30 micromol, altered the nasal hyperresponsiveness induced by platelet activating factor (PAF), 60 microg. PAF did not alter the levels of nitric oxide in the nasal cavity. 6. The results suggest that inhibition of nitric oxide synthase induces a hyperresponsiveness in the human nasal airway, and that this occurs by a mechanism different from that involved in PAF-induced hyperresponsiveness.

Oxidant injury, nitric oxide and pulmonary vascular function: implications for the exercising horse

The athletic ability of the horse is facilitated by vital physiological adaptations to high-intensity exercise, including a thin (but strong) pulmonary blood-gas barrier, a large pulmonary functional reserve capacity and a consequent maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) far higher than in other species. A high pulmonary artery pressure also serves to enhance pulmonary function, although stress failure of lung capillaries at high pulmonary transmural pressures, and the contribution of other factors which act in the exercising horse to increase pulmonary vascular tone, may lead to pathological or pathophysiological sequelae, such as exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an important component of the mammalian inflammatory response. They are released during tissue injury and form a necessary component of cellular defences against pathogens and disease processes. The effects of ROS are normally limited or neutralized by a multifactorial system of antioxidant defences, although excessive production and/or deficient antioxidant defences may expose healthy tissue to oxidant damage. In the lung, ROS can damage pulmonary structures both directly and by initiating the release of other inflammatory mediators, including proteases and eicosanoids. Vascular endothelial cells are particularly susceptible to ROS-induced oxidant injury in the lung, and both the destruction of the pulmonary blood-gas barrier and the action of vasoactive substances will increase pulmonary vascular resistance. Moreover, ROS can degrade endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO), a major pulmonary vasodilator, thereby, with exercise, synergistically increasing the likelihood of stress failure of pulmonary capillaries, a contributing factor to EIPH. This review considers the implications for the exercising horse of oxidant injury, pulmonary vascular function and NO and the contribution of these factors to the pathogenesis of equine respiratory diseases.

Involvement of superoxide anions in ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in unanesthetized guinea pigs

To evaluate the involvement of superoxide in ozone (O(3))-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, we studied the effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a scavenger of superoxide anion, and apocynin, an inhibitor of superoxide anion-generating NADPH oxidase in phagocytes, on the airway responses induced by O(3) in unanesthetized guinea pigs. Airway responsiveness was measured by PC(200)Mch, the concentration required to produce a doubling in the baseline specific airway resistance to an inhaled methacholine aerosol, in spontaneously breathing animals. Before exposure to 3 ppm O(3) for 30 min, animals inhaled either SOD (5000 U/ml) or vehicle for 5 min. Although SOD did not affect PC(200)Mch in the air control group, this agent reduced the O(3)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness. Repeated administration of apocynin (12 mg/kg for 4 days) also attenuated the O(3)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness. These data suggest that superoxide may be involved in the pathogenesis of O(3)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, possibly through the stimulation of superoxide anions release from bronchoalveolar phagocytes. The data also suggest a potential therapeutic role for antioxidants in oxidant injury by air pollutants.

Fluid resuscitation with deferoxamine hetastarch complex attenuates the lung and systemic response to smoke inhalation

BACKGROUND

We determined the effect of infusing the iron chelator deferoxamine complexed to hetastarch on the degree of lung dysfunction and systemic abnormalities produced by a severe smoke exposure.

METHODS

Adult sheep were given a smoke exposure under anesthesia that produced a peak carboxyhemoglobin between 40% and 45%. Twenty-eight sheep were studied; eight were given smoke alone and resuscitated with sufficient lactated Ringer's solution to maintain baseline hemodynamics. Seven sheep were given a bolus plus 1 ml/kg/hr of a 10% deferoxamine-hetastarch solution for resuscitation; five were given hetastarch alone. The response was compared with eight controls during a period of 24 hours.

RESULTS

Smoke alone and smoke with hetastarch resulted in a shunt fraction of greater than 25% and a 50% decrease in compliance, severe airway inflammation, mucosal slough, atelectasis, and some alveolar edema. Increased lipid peroxides measured as malondialdehyde were present in airway fluid. In addition, oxygen consumption increased by 100% early after injury, net 24-hour positive fluid balance was almost 3 L, and a significant increase occurred in liver lipid peroxidation. The group given deferoxamine had a significantly attenuated lung response, with only modest airway damage lung dysfunction, and minimal systemic changes including a net positive fluid balance of just over 1L and no liver lipid peroxidation.

CONCLUSIONS

An iron chelator deferoxamine complexed to hetastarch, given after a severe smoke exposure, significantly attenuates the airway and the systemic inflammatory (oxidant) injury, indicating free iron release and subsequent increased oxidant activity to be a major etiologic factor.

The effects of an inhaled corticosteroid on oxygen radical production by bronchoalveolar cells after allergen or ozone in dogs

Both ozone and allergen inhalation increase the capacity to produce oxygen radicals by bronchoalveolar lavage cells in dogs. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether inhaled corticosteroids inhibits these increases in oxygen radical production from bronchoalveolar lavage cells. Six random source dogs were studied after dry air or ozone inhalation (3 ppm, 30 min). Seven random source dogs were studied after diluent or allergen inhalation. The dogs inhaled budesonide (2.74 mg/day) or lactose powder, twice daily for 7 days before ozone and allergen. 90 min after ozone or dry air, and 24 h after Ascaris suum or diluent a bronchoalveolar lavage was carried out. Spontaneous luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence was measured from bronchoalveolar lavage cells (4 x 10(6) cells) for 10 min, followed by a measurement of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA 2.4 micromol/l) stimulated chemiluminescence for 10 min. Both ozone and allergen inhalation caused an increase in PMA stimulated chemiluminescence (P<0.05). Budesonide pretreatment inhibited ozone-induced (P<0.008), but not allergen-induced PMA stimulated chemiluminescence (P>0.90). Both ozone and allergen inhalation caused an increase in the bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophils. Budesonide pretreatment significantly inhibited the ozone-induced (P=0.007), but not the ascaris-induced neutrophil influx (P=0.93). These results demonstrate that ozone, but not allergen, stimulated oxygen radical release and neutrophil influx are attenuated by inhaled corticosteroids. This suggests that luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence from bronchoalveolar lavage cells measures oxygen radicals derived from neutrophils, and that ozone-and allergen-induced bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophilia are caused by different mechanisms.

Ozone-induced oxygen radical release from bronchoalveolar lavage cells and airway hyper-responsiveness in dogs

1. Ozone inhalation causes airway hyper-responsiveness and airway inflammation in dogs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these effects are associated with increases in oxygen radical production from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells. 2. Twelve randomly selected dogs were studied twice, 4 weeks apart. On each study day, acetylcholine (ACh) airway responsiveness was measured before and 1 h after ozone (3 p.p.m., 30 min) or dry air inhalation, followed by BAL. The response to ACh was expressed as the concentration causing an increase in lung resistance of 5 cmH2O l-1 s-1 above baseline. Spontaneous and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) (2.4 mumol l-1)-stimulated oxygen radical release from washed BAL cells (4 x 10(6) cells ml-1) was measured by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence in a luminometer at 37 degrees C. 3. Ozone inhalation caused airway hyper-responsiveness. The concentration of ACh causing an increase in lung resistance of 5 cmH2O l-1 s-1 (the 'provocative' concentration) fell from 4.68 mg ml-1 (% S.E.M., 1.43) before, to 0.48 mg ml-1 (% S.E.M., 1.60) after ozone (P < 0.0001). Spontaneous chemiluminescence area under the curve (AUC) significantly increased after ozone from 4.08 mV (10 min) (% S.E.M., 1.28) after dry air to 8.25 mV (10 min; % S.E.M., 1.29) after ozone (P = 0.007). Ozone inhalation also increased PMA-stimulated chemiluminescence AUC from 18.97 mV (10 min; % S.E.M., 1.18) after dry air to 144.03 mV (10 min; % S.E.M., 1.45) after ozone (P = 0.0001). The increase in PMA-stimulated chemiluminescence was significantly correlated with ozone-induced ACh airway hyper-responsiveness (r = 0.83, P < 0.001). 4. These results indicate that inhaled ozone increases oxygen radical release from BAL cells and suggest that oxygen radicals are important in causing ozone-induced airway hyper-responsiveness.

Increased early postburn fluid requirements and oxygen demands are predictive of the degree of airways injury by smoke inhalation

The combination of burn and smoke inhalation was studied to determine if early hemodynamic and metabolic abnormalities would correspond with the degree of subsequent smoke-induced airways injury. Adult sheep (n = 45) given an 18% total body surface third-degree burn alone or with smoke exposures of 12 breaths of 5, 10, or 20 mL/kg tidal volume were continuously monitored with airways assessed at 4 or 24 hours. With increased smoke exposure (20 mL/kg tidal volume), oxygen consumption (VO2) in the first several hours and net positive fluid balance, especially in the first 6 hours, increased by 100% and 300%, respectively, over that seen with burn alone. The degree of increase in fluid requirement, net fluid retention, and VO2 with smoke, compared with burn alone, correlated best with the degree of airways damage quantitated at 24 hours, r = 0.83, 0.85, and 0.89, respectively. Airways damage at 4 hours did not predict the damage seen at 24 hours. Systemic changes were not caused by gas-phase toxins, such as carbon monoxide, because smoke filtered of particles had the same blood carbon monoxide control as whole smoke, but the systemic response was equal to burn alone, and there was no airways injury. The cause of the systemic changes is likely the result of the intense airways inflammation.

Airway and pulmonary tissue responses to platelet-activating factor in rats

We studied airway and pulmonary tissue responses to platelet-activating factor (PAF) in rats by measuring alveolar pressure with the alveolar capsule technique. We calculated airway resistance (Raw), dynamic elastance (Edyn), and pulmonary tissue resistance (Rtis). PAF was administered intravenously in doses of 0.1, 1, 10, and 30 micrograms (1 dose per animal, 5 rats for each dose). Infusion of PAF resulted in a significant increase in Rtis and Edyn (p < .05). Maximal values of Edyn were observed with the infusion of 10 micrograms of PAF (p < .02). Rtis presented a significant increase after infusion of 1 microgram of PAF (p < .05). The observed increase in Raw was transient and did not reach statistical significance. After infusion of PAF lungs were fixed by a quick-freezing method. Morphometric analysis showed that PAF infusion resulted in significant increases in intraluminal secretion (p = .001) and peribronchiolar edema (p < .001) but did not result in significant airway contraction. We conclude that intravenous infusion of PAF results in significant effects on lung tissue mechanics. The effects of PAF on the mechanical properties of lung parenchyma reflect the inflammatory alterations induced by this agonist in distal airspaces.

Involvement of superoxide in ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in anesthetized cats

To determine whether oxygen radical scavengers inhibit ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, we examined the protective effect of polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) and PEG-catalase (PEG-CAT) on ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in cat airways. Twenty-five cats divided into five groups were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. There was no difference between the groups in baseline airway responsiveness to inhaled acetylcholine (ACh). In the control group, AChPC, the concentration required to produce a doubling increase in baseline pulmonary resistance, was significantly reduced by ozone exposure (2.0 ppm for 2 h); the ratios of AChPC before ozone exposure to after ozone exposure (AChPC ratio) were 14.8 +/- 5.7 (p < 0.001) and 4.80 +/- 1.6 (p < 0.01) 30 and 120 min after exposure, respectively. Local administration of PEG-SOD (2,000 U/kg) into airways partially but significantly prevented ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness. The AChPC ratios were 6.2 +/- 1.4 and 1.5 +/- 0.2 30 and 120 min after exposure, respectively, which were significantly different from those of the control group (p < 0.05), whereas PEG-CAT pretreatment (6,000 U/kg) was without effect. Combined pretreatment with PEG-SOD and PEG-CAT had no additional protective effect compared with PEG-SOD alone. PEG-SOD had no direct effect on airway responsiveness to ACh. These results suggest that superoxide may be involved in ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness.

Oxygen radicals contribute to antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in conscious sheep

We previously showed that oxygen radicals can induce airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in allergic sheep. The purpose of this study was to determine whether antigen challenge results in the generation of free oxygen radicals and if these radicals contribute to antigen-induced AHR. We first determined baseline airway responsiveness in seven Ascaris suum-sensitive sheep by calculating the cumulative provocative concentration of carbachol in breath units (BU; one BU defined as one breath of a 1% wt/vol carbachol solution) that increased specific lung resistance (SRL) 400% over baseline (PC400). On a different day, the sheep underwent inhalation challenge with A. suum antigen, SRL was measured before and immediately after challenge and then hourly for 2 h, at which time SRL had returned to baseline. The postchallenge PC400 was then measured. This procedure was repeated on separate occasions, each at least 14 days apart, except that the sheep were treated with an aerosol of catalase (CAT; 38 mg in 3 ml deionized water), the enzyme that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), at three different times: Trial 1, before antigen and then every 30 min after antigen challenge for 2 h; Trial II, 1 and 2 h after antigen challenge; and Trial III, only at 2 h after antigen challenge. In the control trial, antigen challenge caused a transient (mean +/- SEM) 303 +/- 48% increase in SRL over baseline (p < 0.05), and 2 h later, PC400 was reduced to 11.0 +/- 1.7 BU from a prechallenge value of 24.8 +/- 1.9 BU (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)