Effects of prostaglandin E₁ on lung function in bronchial asthma

Summary

1. Prostaglandin E₁ aerosol was given to a total of 37 patients with chronic airways obstruction. — 2. In 5 patients lung function was not improved by PGE₁. In 18 others it improved, but in 3 of these isoprenaline caused a further improvement. — 3. In the majority of the patients it caused transient cough followed by a definite improvement of vital capacity and peak flow, which reached its peak after 30–40 min after the inhalation. The prostaglandin cough could not be prevented by isoprenaline aerosol given beforehand. It is thought possible that this cough was mediated by special receptors. — 4. It is concluded that prostaglandin E₁ is a potent bronchodilator in man, the action of which is possibly mediated by a mechanism different from that of isoprenaline. Given in maximum effective doses isoprenaline had, at least in some patients, a stronger dilator action.