Abstract
An in vivo preparation, in which a body plethysmograph was incorporated, was useful in monitoring the cardiopulmonary effects of pharmacological agents in the guinea pig and rabbit. Isoproterenol, given 30 seconds prior to histamine challenge, reproducibly blocked histamine-induced dynamic compliance decreases and increased heart in the artificially ventilated guinea pig. These effects were used to separate the activity of beta adrenergic blockers on airway and heart muscle. Dose-response data were obtained and ED50 values for pulmonary and cardiovascular blockade were compared. Relative potencies and cardioselectivity ratios for dichloroisoproterenol, practolol, dl-propranolol and d-propranolol were determined. Both practolol and dichloroisoproterenol were cardioselective; dl-propranolol was found to be the most potent. When a similar protocol was tried in the rabbit, isorpoterenol failed to antagonize either histamine or methacholine-induced airway constriction. This finding was supported in subsequent in vitro tests. Isoproterenol and epinephrine were ineffective in blocking methacholine-induced tracheal chain contractions and epinephrine did not significantly enhance adenylate cyclase activity. Our observations suggest rabbit airway smooth muscle is insensitive to beta adrenergic stimulants.
Log in using your username and password
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 1 day for US$35.00
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.