Impairment of tracheal mucociliary clearance but not ciliary beat frequency by a combination of low level ozone and sulfur dioxide in sheep.

We used conscious sheep to determine the effect of a combined exposure to ozone (O3) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) on tracheal mucus velocity (TMV) and ciliary beat frequency (CBF). TMV was measured in vivo by tracking the movement of radiopaque particles which had been deposited on the tracheal mucosa. CBF of tracheal epithelial cells, obtained by brushing, was measured in vitro with phase contrast microscopy.

Production of early and late pulmonary responses with inhaled leukotriene D4 in allergic sheep.

Some allergic sheep respond to inhalation of Ascaris suum antigen with both immediate and late increases in airflow resistance (late response). The mechanism of the late response is unknown but recent evidence suggests that the initial generation of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) immediately after antigen challenge is a necessary pre-requisite for the physiologic expression of this late response. Based on this evidence we hypothesized that airway challenge with leukotriene D4 (LTD4), an active component of SRS-A would produce acute and late airway responses in allergic sheep similar to those observed with antigen.

The role of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis in the late bronchial response after antigen challenge in allergic sheep.

Allergic sheep respond to inhalation challenge with Ascaris suum antigen with an immediate bronchoconstriction that resolves within 2 to 4 h, followed by a second bronchial obstruction occurring 6.5 to 8 h after challenge. The purpose of this study was to determine if the antigen-induced late bronchial response in allergic sheep is mediator dependent and to determine the extent to which histamine and/or slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) are involved in this response.

Changes in airway permeability and responsiveness after exposure to ozone.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between airway responsiveness and the permeability of histamine through the airways in conscious sheep after exposure to ozone (O3). Airway responsiveness was assessed by measuring the change from baseline in mean pulmonary flow resistance following a controlled 2-min inhalation challenge with 1% histamine, containing 200 microCi/ml of [3H]histamine. The rate of appearance of the [3H]histamine in the plasma during inhalation challenge was used to estimate airway permeability.

Inhibition of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction by methylprednisolone succinate.

We investigated whether the glucocorticoid methylprednisolone succinate mg/kg) could prevent antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in conscious sheep. Ten allergic ewes were subjected to inhalation challenge with Ascaris suum antigen, with and without methylprednisolone pretreatment, administered intravenously either 20 min or 3 hr before antigen challenge. Antigen challenge alone resulted in increased airflow resistance, pulmonary hyperinflation, and decreases in dynamic lung compliance and arterial oxygen tension.