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Potent bronchodilation and reduced stiffness by relaxant stimuli under dynamic conditions

Discipline of Physiology, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences and Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

CORRESPONDENCE: H. W. Mitchell, Discipline of Physiology, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, 6009, Australia. Fax: 61 864881025. E-mail: mitchell{at}cyllene.uwa.edu.au

Keywords: Airway smooth muscle, airway stiffness, bronchial responsiveness, bronchodilation, nitric oxide

Received: July 31, 2008
Accepted October 17, 2008

Airway relaxation in response to isoprenaline, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and electrical field stimulation (EFS) was compared under static and dynamic conditions. The capacity of relaxants to reduce airway stiffness and, thus, potentially contribute to bronchodilation was also investigated.

Relaxation responses were recorded in fluid filled bronchial segments from pigs under static conditions and during volume oscillations simulating tidal and twice tidal manoeuvres. Bronchodilation was assessed from the reduction in carbachol-induced lumen pressure, at isovolume points in pressure cycles produced by volume oscillation, and stiffness was assessed from cycle amplitudes.

Under static conditions, all three inhibitory stimuli produced partial relaxation of the carbachol-induced contraction. Volume oscillation alone also reduced the contraction in an amplitude-dependent manner. However, maximum relaxation was observed when isoprenaline or SNP were combined with volume oscillation, virtually abolishing contraction at the highest drug concentrations. The proportional effects of isoprenaline and EFS were not different under static or oscillating conditions, whereas relaxation to SNP was slightly greater in oscillating airways. All three inhibitory stimuli also strongly reduced carbachol-induced airway stiffening.

The current authors conclude that bronchoconstriction is strongly suppressed by combining the inhibitory stimulation of airway smooth muscle with cyclical mechanical strains. The capacity of airway smooth muscle relaxants to also reduce stiffness may further contribute to bronchodilation.