Pharmacological studies of the effect of wheat grain extract.

Background: Agricultural farm workers exposed to wheat grain dust are at risk of developing respiratory abnormalities. The pathogenesis of this injury is only partially understood.

Objectives: To determine the effect of wheat grainextract on isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle.

Hyperresponsiveness to tobacco dust extract in sensitized guinea pig trachea.

The role of pre-existing airway inflammation in the pathogenesis of occupational airway disease is poorly understood. Previously we studied an extract of tobacco dust (TDE) and determined that it causes concentration dependent contractions of nonsensitized guinea pig trachea (GPT). In the present study animals were sensitized using Ovalbumin (OA) and subsequently challenged with an aerosol of 2.