Doxofylline exerts a prophylactic effect against bronchoconstriction and pleurisy induced by PAF.
The effect of doxofylline, a new xanthine drug with a low incidence of side-effects in the central nervous, renal and gastroenteric system, on the actions of PAF-acether on bronchopulmonary functions was studied. Doxofylline inhibited: (1) PAF-induced bronchoconstriction in vitro, and the concomitant generation of TXA2-like activity in perfused guinea-pig lungs; (2) PAF-induced bronchoconstriction in vivo and the concomitant release of TXA2-like activity into the circulation; (3) PAF-acether-induced pleurisy and the liberation of type C4 leukotriene into the rat pleural cavity. The results suggest that doxofylline, like theophylline, is able to counteract the bronchoconstriction induced by PAF-acether and, in addition, displays anti-inflammatory properties. These pharmacological data support the notion that doxofylline exerts a prophylactic effect against the respiratory damage induced by mediators, such as PAF-acether, of lung bronchial hyperreactivity; its mechanism of action is unusual, it has slight antagonistic activity at A1- and A2-adenosine receptors.
ABC S.p.A. Research Laboratories, Turin, Italy.
J S
JS
Franzone
R
R
Cirillo
P
P
Biffignandi
D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D001667:Binding, Competitive / Q000187:drug effects; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007267:Injections; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000032:analysis
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D013806:Theophylline; C029797:doxofylline