Background Oxidants are involved in many respiratory disorders, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Reduced glutathione (GSH), one of the most important antioxidant compounds against oxidant free radicals, is particularly abundant in the respiratory epithelial lining fluid, where its concentration is increased in inflammatory disorders. Objective We hypothesized that reducing agents may have a direct effect on airway smooth muscle. Therefore, we studied the effects of GSH on airway smooth muscle contractility in guinea-pig main bronchi. In parallel, we evaluated superoxide anion generation associated with in vitro bronchial smooth muscle contraction. Methods Guinea-pig main bronchi were mounted in organ baths filled with Krebs-Henseleit solution. Concentration-response curves to acetylcholine (Ach) (10(-9)-10(-3) M), carbachol (10(-9)-10(-4) M), or histamine (10(-9)-10(-3) M) were performed in the presence or absence of either reduced or oxidized glutathione (GSSG) (10(-5)-10(-3) M). We also evaluated the effects of GSH and GSSG on allergen-induced contraction in main bronchi obtained from ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pig. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibited cytochrome c reduction kinetics was performed to evaluate superoxide anion (O-2(-)) production during Ach-induced contraction. Results Reduced but not oxidized glutathione significantly decreased smooth muscle contraction induced by Ach, carbachol, and histamine. Similarly, only the reduced form of glutathione attenuated the bronchoconstriction induced by allergen exposure in bronchi from sensitized animals. Finally, SOD-inhibited cytochrome c reduction kinetics demonstrated increased O-2(-) production following bronchial smooth muscle contraction. This production was not affected by epithelium removal. Conclusion Our findings show that GSH decreases bronchial smooth muscle contraction to different stimuli and that oxidant free radicals are produced during bronchial smooth muscle contraction. We suggest that oxidants are involved in the mechanisms of bronchoconstriction and that reducing agents could be a possible therapeutic option for airway obstruction sustained by bronchospasm.

Reducing agents inhibit the contractile response of isolated guinea-pig main bronchi / Gl, Casoni; P., Chitano; S., Pinamonti; M., Chicca; A., Ciaccia; Fabbri, Leonardo; A., Papi. - In: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY. - ISSN 0954-7894. - STAMPA. - 33:7(2003), pp. 999-1004. [10.1046/j.1365-2222.2003.01710.x]

Reducing agents inhibit the contractile response of isolated guinea-pig main bronchi

FABBRI, Leonardo;
2003

Abstract

Background Oxidants are involved in many respiratory disorders, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Reduced glutathione (GSH), one of the most important antioxidant compounds against oxidant free radicals, is particularly abundant in the respiratory epithelial lining fluid, where its concentration is increased in inflammatory disorders. Objective We hypothesized that reducing agents may have a direct effect on airway smooth muscle. Therefore, we studied the effects of GSH on airway smooth muscle contractility in guinea-pig main bronchi. In parallel, we evaluated superoxide anion generation associated with in vitro bronchial smooth muscle contraction. Methods Guinea-pig main bronchi were mounted in organ baths filled with Krebs-Henseleit solution. Concentration-response curves to acetylcholine (Ach) (10(-9)-10(-3) M), carbachol (10(-9)-10(-4) M), or histamine (10(-9)-10(-3) M) were performed in the presence or absence of either reduced or oxidized glutathione (GSSG) (10(-5)-10(-3) M). We also evaluated the effects of GSH and GSSG on allergen-induced contraction in main bronchi obtained from ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pig. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibited cytochrome c reduction kinetics was performed to evaluate superoxide anion (O-2(-)) production during Ach-induced contraction. Results Reduced but not oxidized glutathione significantly decreased smooth muscle contraction induced by Ach, carbachol, and histamine. Similarly, only the reduced form of glutathione attenuated the bronchoconstriction induced by allergen exposure in bronchi from sensitized animals. Finally, SOD-inhibited cytochrome c reduction kinetics demonstrated increased O-2(-) production following bronchial smooth muscle contraction. This production was not affected by epithelium removal. Conclusion Our findings show that GSH decreases bronchial smooth muscle contraction to different stimuli and that oxidant free radicals are produced during bronchial smooth muscle contraction. We suggest that oxidants are involved in the mechanisms of bronchoconstriction and that reducing agents could be a possible therapeutic option for airway obstruction sustained by bronchospasm.
2003
33
7
999
1004
Reducing agents inhibit the contractile response of isolated guinea-pig main bronchi / Gl, Casoni; P., Chitano; S., Pinamonti; M., Chicca; A., Ciaccia; Fabbri, Leonardo; A., Papi. - In: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY. - ISSN 0954-7894. - STAMPA. - 33:7(2003), pp. 999-1004. [10.1046/j.1365-2222.2003.01710.x]
Gl, Casoni; P., Chitano; S., Pinamonti; M., Chicca; A., Ciaccia; Fabbri, Leonardo; A., Papi
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Licenza Creative Commons
I metadati presenti in IRIS UNIMORE sono rilasciati con licenza Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal, mentre i file delle pubblicazioni sono rilasciati con licenza Attribuzione 4.0 Internazionale (CC BY 4.0), salvo diversa indicazione.
In caso di violazione di copyright, contattare Supporto Iris

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/304622
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 5
  • Scopus 13
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 14
social impact