Pharmacological modulation of inhaled sodium metabisulphite‐induced airway microvascular leakage and bronchoconstriction in the guinea‐pig

We have investigated the effects of chlorpheniramine, atropine and capsaicin pretreatment on inhaled sodium metabisulphite (MBS)‐induced airway microvascular leakage and bronchoconstriction in anaesthetized guinea‐pigs in order to clarify the mechanisms involved in these responses. The effects of frusemide and nedocromil sodium were also examined. Lung resistance (R L ) was measured for 6 min after inhalation of MBS (20, 40, 80 and 200 m m ; 30 breaths), followed by measurement of extravasation of Evans blue dye into airway tissues, used as an index of airway microvascular leakage. MBS caused an increase in R L and leakage of dye at all airway levels in a dose‐dependent manner. Chlorpheniramine (10 mg kg −1 , i.v.), atropine (1 mg kg −1 , i.v.), their combination or inhaled nedocromil sodium (10 mg ml −1 , 7 min) had no effect against the airway microvascular leakage induced by 80 m m MBS (30 breaths). Capsaicin pretreatment (50 mg kg −1 , s.c.) caused a significant decrease in the leakage of dye in the main bronchi and inhaled frusemide (10 mg ml −1 , 7 min) also in the main bronchi and proximal intrapulmonary airway. Chlorpheniramine, atropine, their combination, capsaicin pretreatment and frusemide, but not nedocromil sodium, inhibited significantly the peak R L induced by 80 m m MBS (30 breaths) by approximately 50%. We conclude that a cholinergic reflex and neuropeptides released from sensory nerve endings may participate in the mechanisms of MBS‐induced airway responses. Frusemide but not nedocromil sodium may have an inhibitory effect on these neural mechanisms. The inhibitory effect of nedocromil sodium against lower doses of MBS is not excluded.