title: Bronchoconstrictor response to inhaled capsaicin in humans.
abstract: The effect of inhaled capsaicin, the irritant extract of pepper, on airway tone has been studied in humans. Inhaled capsaicin (2.4 X 10(-10) and 2.4 X 10(-9) mol) caused a dose-dependent fall in specific airways conductance (maximum fall 28 +/- 19 and 38 +/- 19%, respectively; means +/- SD, n = 17). This was maximal within 20 s of exposure and lasted for less than 60 s. There was no difference in the magnitude or duration of bronchoconstriction between normal, smoking, or asthmatic subjects. Capsaicin also caused coughing and retrosternal discomfort. On repeated exposure to capsaicin, there was no evidence for a reduced response (tachyphylaxis). Ipratropium bromide (0.25 mg by inhalation) significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced the bronchoconstriction (maximum falls 34 +/- 14 and 15 +/- 9% after saline and ipratropium bromide, respectively; means +/- SD n = 6), indicating that it was dependent on a cholinergic vagal reflex rather than on local release of substance P from nerves in the airway. Inhaled sodium cromoglycate (10 mg by nebulizer or 40 mg as a dry powder), however, had no significant effect on the bronchoconstrictor response. Capsaicin may be a useful tool for investigating nonmyelinated nerve reflexes in human airways.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012119:Respiration; D012907:Smoking; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride; D009241:Ipratropium; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D002211:Capsaicin