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Modification of allergen-induced airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the allergic rabbit by theophylline aerosol

  • Pulmonary Research Group Meeting On Animal Models of Airway Hyperreactivity and Late-Phase Responses
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Abstract

The effects of theophylline on allergen-induced airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness were investigated in allergic rabbits. This allergic rabbit model was developed in our laboratory and stimulates the human model of allergic asthma in several aspects. Four allergic rabbits with hyperreactive airways were challenged with ragweed to elicit early- and late-phase asthmatic responses and subsequent increased airway responsiveness. Two to three weeks later, the rabbits received theophylline (5 mg/ml, nebulized for 3 min) prior to a second allergen challenge. Theophylline significantly inhibited the allergen-induced early- and late-phase asthmatic responses by 38% (P<0.05) and 49% (P<0.05), respectively. Further theophylline inhibited the allergen-induced increase in lung resistance by 42% (P<0.05) during the late-phase responses. Theophylline also inhibited the allergen-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness by 39% (P<0.05) at 24h. These data suggest a potential anti-inflammatory effect of theophylline in preventing allergen-induced asthmatic responses and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, East Carolina University, School of Medicine, 27858-5334, Greenville, NC, USA

    S. Ali, S. J. Mustafa & W. J. Metzger M.D.

  2. Department of Pharmacology, East Carolina University, School of Medicine, 27858-5334, Greenville, NC, USA

    S. Ali, S. J. Mustafa & W. J. Metzger M.D.

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  1. S. Ali
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  2. S. J. Mustafa
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  3. W. J. Metzger M.D.
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Ali, S., Mustafa, S.J. & Metzger, W.J. Modification of allergen-induced airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the allergic rabbit by theophylline aerosol. Agents and Actions 37, 168–170 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02028099

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02028099

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