Rapidly-adapting receptor activity and intratracheal pressure in guinea pigs. II. Action of aspirin and salicylic acid in antagonizing mediators of allergic asthma.

The effects of leukotriene C4 (LTC4), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), histamine, and bradykinin upon intratracheal pressure and nerve activity from rapidly-adapting receptors (RARs) before and after the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs salicylic acid (SA) and aspirin (ASA, acetylsalicylic acid) have been studied in guinea pigs. All mediators increased tracheal pressure and nerve activity in a time-dependent manner. The peak in nerve activity always preceded the peak in tracheal pressure. Neither SA or ASA blocked the effects of histamine or PGF2 alpha upon tracheal pressure or nerve activity. ASA and even SA blocked the effects of bradykinin on both parameters. While SA had no effect on LTC4, ASA blocked the effects of LTC4 upon both tracheal pressure and nerve activity. These results suggest that both LTC4 and bradykinin may act through mediators derived from arachidonic acid not only in increasing tracheal pressures but also to increase RAR nerve activity.