Antigen-induced Contraction of Guinea-pig Isolated Trachea: Studies with Novel Inhibitors and Antagonists of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites

1. Responses of antigen-challenged isolated trachea from sensitized guinea-pigs were pharmacologically characterized by use of some novel inhibitors and antagonists of arachidonic acid metabolites. 2. The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, prolonged without altering the maximum response to antigen in the absence of the anti-muscarinic agent, atropine, and/or the H1-receptor blocker, mepyramine. In the presence of mepyramine, indomethacin both prolonged and increased the magnitude of the response. The selective (SQ-29548) and non-selective (L-640,035) thromboxane A2 (TXA2) antagonist and the TXA2 synthetase inhibitor, OKY-046, were essentially inactive. 3. Two novel inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase product formation, AA-861 and L-651,896 produced complete inhibition of the response to antigen on tissues treated with atropine and mepyramine, with or without indomethacin. 4. Equimolar concentrations of the leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptor antagonists LY-171883 greater than L-649,923 greater than or equal to L-648,051 greater than or equal to FPL-55712 blocked part of the response to antigen on tissues treated with atropine, mepyramine and indomethacin. All compounds tended to block a larger component of the response in the absence of indomethacin. A similar tendency was observed with the potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) but not the less potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline. 5. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that 5-lipoxygenase products acting on LTD4 receptors play only a minor role in the mediation of the contraction of guinea-pig trachea to antigen challenge. The nature of the residual contractile mediator is unknown; however, it can be completely blocked by the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors AA-861 and L-651,896 and non-selectively blocked by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX and non-selective LTD4 receptor antagonists, such as LY-171883.