MODIFICATION OF HUMAN AIRWAY SMOOTH MUSCLE REACTIVITY BY DRUGS THAT INTERFERE WITH ARACHIDONIC ACID METABOLISM

Abstract

Histamine‐induced contractions of small airways from human lung were substantially augmented by the cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, whereas the contraction of larger airways was not. Mixed cyclo‐oxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism did not modify histamine‐induced contractions of smooth muscle from either small or large airways but completely reversed the augmentation of histamine responses produced by indomethacin on the smaller airways. The SRS‐A (slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis) antagonist, FPL 55712, did not affect the augmentation of histamine‐induced contractions by indomethacin. 1982 British Pharmacological Society