Sodium metabisulfite and citric acid induce bronchoconstriction via a sulfite-sensitive pathway in the isolated guinea pig lung

Inhalation of sodium metabisulfite (MBS; 80 mM; pH 2.9 +/- 0.1) or citric acid (CA; 0.4 M; pH 2.0 +/- 0.1) aerosols induced a reduction in compliance and conductance in the isolated perfused and ventilated guinea pig lung without affecting perfusion flow. The effect was dependent on the pH of the nebulized solution since inhalation of 80 mM MBS aerosols at pH 7.4 did not induce any effect on bronchial tone. Concomitantly to the bronchoconstriction induced by MBS or CA an increased level of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP-LI) in the effluent perfusate was observed, indicating activation of sensory nerves. Sodium sulfite, a dissolution product of MBS, has previously been shown by our studies to reduce bronchoconstriction induced by inhalation of sulfur dioxide, in the isolated perfused and ventilated guinea pig lung. In the present study perfusion of the lung with sodium sulfite (3 mM) before and during exposure to aerosols with either MBS or CA attenuated the bronchoconstriction induced by the acidic solutions. The release of CGRP-LI induced by MBS or CA was not affected by sodium sulfite. Sulfite treatment did not modify perfused guinea pig lung reactivity towards acetylcholine (4 nmol), bradykinin (100 pmol), histamine (10 nmol), serotonin (500 pmol) and substance P fragment 5-11, a substance P analogue resistant to degrading enzyme (500 pmol). However, an inhibitory effect by sodium sulfite was observed on bronchoconstriction induced by the NK-2 agonist neurokinin A fragment 4-10 (NKA 4-10, 25 pmol). These results indicate that MBS- or CA-induced bronchoconstriction was dependent on the low pH of the aerosol solution and coincided with activation of sensory nerves. Sulfite modulation of the bronchoconstricting action of inhaled MBS and CA is suggested to be related to a sulfite-sensitive step in the signal transduction of the neuropeptide NKA.

[Mechanisms of tolerance to sulfur dioxide and sodium metabisulfite]

Inhalation of sulphur dioxide (250 ppm), (SO2) or sodium metabisulfite (80 mM) (MBS) aerosol or perfusion with MBS (3 mM) induced a reduction in compliance and conductance in the isolated, perfused and ventilated guinea pig lung. Pretreatment of the lung with sodium sulfite (3 mM), a dissolution product of SO2 and MBS, reduced the bronchoconstriction induced by SO2 and MBS. Bronchoconstriction induced by SO2 and MBS in associated to increased levels of Calcitonin gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) in the perfusate effinent, indicating activation of sensory nerves. The release of CGRP induced by SO2 and MBS was not affected by sodium sulfite. Sulfite treatment did not modify lung reactivity towards acethylcholine, bradykinin, serotonin, histamine and substance P (fragment 5-11). An inhibitory effect by sulfite was observed on bronchoconstriction induced by neurokinin A (fragment 4-10). Since bronchoconstriction induced by SO2 and MBS appears to be mediated by neurokinin A release and action, sulfite may act by affecting its signal transduction pathway. In conclusion, the results indicate that during exposure to some environmental and occupational pollutants, e.g. SO2 and MBS, critical modifications of sulfhydryl groups on smooth muscle receptors may occur. We hypothesise this as a possible step in the development of tolerance and hyperreactivity.

[Participation of tachykinins in experimental models of lung damage]

In the present investigation a possible involvement of tachykinins during sulfur dioxide-(SO2) and metabisulfite-(MBS) induced bronchoconstriction, and paraquat (PQ)-induced mortality was studied. SO2 (250ppm) inhalation and MBS (3mM) perfusion induced a marked decrease of compliance and conductance in the isolated and perfused lung. SO2-induced bronchoconstriction was associated with release of Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide, suggesting activation of capsaicin sensitive sensory nerves. Pretreatment of animals with capsaicin, in order to deplete the tachykinin content of sensory nerves, significantly reduced SO2- and MBS-induced bronchoconstriction. PQ (25mg/Kg) treatment induced high mortality (75%) after 3 weeks. Pretreatment with capsaicin significantly protected versus PQ induced mortality (25%). The results suggest that tachykinin content in the respiratory airways participate to SO2- and MBS-induced bronchoconstriction and PQ mortality.

Vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction induced by 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)1,4-benzohydroquinone, an endoplasmic reticular Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, in isolated and perfused rat lung

The microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (tBuBHQ) induced bronchoconstriction and vasoconstriction in the isolated perfused and ventilated rat lung. These effects were accompanied by increased levels of thromboxane and prostacyclin in the effluent perfusate. The effect of tBuBHQ was inhibited by L-655,240, a thromboxane receptor antagonist, indicating thromboxane-A2-mediated bronchoconstriction and vasoconstriction. Accordingly, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin largely blocked the effects of tBuBHQ. The involvement of a phospholipase in the generation of thromboxane A2(TXA2) was supported by dibucaine protection on tBuBHQ effects. The results from this study indicate that tBuBHQ, probably by inhibiting the microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase, can trigger the arachidonic acid cascade leading to the formation of TXA2, which in turn causes bronchoconstriction and vasoconstriction in rat lung.

Sulfur dioxide-induced bronchoconstriction in the isolated perfused and ventilated guinea-pig lung

SO2 exposure (50-500 ppm) of isolated, perfused and ventilated guinea pig lungs, via the air passages, caused a concentration-related reduction in dynamic compliance and conductance. No changes in pulmonary perfusion flow was noted at any SO2 concentration. Formed sulfite was detected in lung lavage fluid as well as in the perfusate. Pretreatment of the lungs with a low concentration of SO2 (10 ppm) for 30 min protected against bronchoconstriction by a high concentration of SO2 (250 ppm). A similar protective effect was noted by pretreatment with sodium sulfite (3 mM) in the lung perfusate.

Sulfur dioxide-induced bronchoconstriction via ruthenium red-sensitive activation of sensory nerves

The mechanism of sulfur dioxide-induced bronchoconstriction was studied using isolated perfused and ventilated guinea-pig lungs. They were exposed to sulfur dioxide after pretreatment with different compounds, either via the pulmonary artery or via the air passages. Neither the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (30 microM) nor the H1-receptor antagonist diphenhydramine (15 microM), given via the perfusate, attenuated the sulfur dioxide-induced bronchoconstriction. Furthermore, sulfur dioxide exposure did not cause a release of either thromboxane or histamine into the perfusate. In experiments with atropine equivocal results were obtained with regard to protection against sulfur dioxide-evoked bronchoconstriction. Intratracheal instillation of the local anesthetic agent lidocaine (1 mg/50 microliters) markedly reduced the sulfur dioxide-induced bronchoconstriction. Also, ruthenium red (10 microM), an agent with calcium entry-blocking properties and an inhibitor of capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction, was able to inhibit the effect of sulfur dioxide. The sulfur dioxide-induced bronchoconstriction was associated with release of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a sensory neuropeptide. The effect of sulfur dioxide was also inhibited by a Ca(2+)-free buffer plus EGTA. These results suggest that sulfur dioxide-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig lung is the result of a local effect on sensory nerves (C-fiber activation). The mechanism seems to be dependent on the Ca(2+)-dependent release of sensory neuropeptides and to be linked to opening of the cation channel, which is associated with the proposed capsaicin receptor on sensory nerves as revealed by the inhibitory effect of ruthenium red.

Thiol modification in H2O2- and thromboxane-induced vaso- and bronchoconstriction in rat perfused lung

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), arachidonic acid (AA), and U-44069, a thromboxane analogue, all induced vaso- and bronchoconstriction in the isolated perfused rat lung. The role of protein sulfhydryl modifications in these processes was investigated. The thiol oxidizing agent diamide inhibited both vaso- and bronchoconstriction induced by H2O2, AA, or U-44069. Diamide had only a marginal effect on glutathione and protein thiol levels and no effect on lung mechanics. The diamide inhibition was reversible, and H2O2-induced vaso- and bronchoconstriction was almost maximal after 10 min of perfusion with buffer. The recovery was more rapid if dithiothreitol, a thiol reducing agent, was used in the buffer. H2O2- and AA-induced vaso- and bronchoconstriction is caused by thromboxane release. Diamide did not influence H2O2- or AA-dependent thromboxane formation, indicating that neither AA release nor AA metabolism to thromboxane is sensitive to thiol oxidation. Thus our results indicate that the site of diamide-induced thiol oxidation is the thromboxane receptor or its signal transduction.