title: Evaluation of the potassium channel activator cromakalim (BRL 34915) as a bronchodilator in the guinea-pig: comparison with nifedipine.
abstract: 1. The potential of the potassium channel activator, cromakalim (BRL 34915), as a bronchodilator has been evaluated in guinea-pig models in comparison with nifedipine. Some effects of the compounds on guinea-pig tracheal spirals have been studied in an attempt to elucidate their different efficacies in vivo. 2. When given by the intraduodenal route to anaesthetized guinea-pigs, cromakalim (3 and 10 mg kg-1) inhibited 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced bronchospasm for at least 60 min. When given by the i.v. route, the dose of cromakalim producing 50% inhibition of the 5-HT response was 84 micrograms kg-1. Nifedipine failed to show any protective effect up to 100 micrograms kg-1, i.v. and was lethal at higher dose levels. 3. Cromakalim protected conscious guinea-pigs from asphyxic collapse in response to histamine aerosol. The maximal effect occurred 60 min following oral dosing, with 2.5 mg kg-1 providing complete protection for almost half of the animals. Nifedipine had only a weak protective effect even at a high dose level of 50 mg kg-1, p.o. 4. Cromakalim prolonged the time before convulsive cough in response to an antigen challenge in actively sensitized guinea-pigs. Its minimum protective dose was 1 mg kg-1, p.o. Nifedipine (50 mg kg-1, p.o.) was ineffective. 5. Cromakalim inhibited both spontaneous and prostaglandin E2-induced tone in guinea-pig isolated tracheal spirals with IC50 values, relative to the maximum inhibition achieved by isoprenaline (10(-3)M), of 1.1 x 10(-6)M and 8.9 x 10(-7)M, respectively. Its maximal effect was 89% of that produced by isoprenaline. Removal of the epithelium did not influence its activity. Studies using the two enantiomers showed that the activity of cromakalim resided almost entirely in the (-)-enantiomer. 6. Nifedipine (2 x 10-SM) achieved only 49% of the relaxant effect of 10 -3M isoprenaline in isolated tracheal spirals. Addition of cromakalim (10- 5 M) at the end of the nifedipine concentrationresponse experiment caused further relaxation to 94% of the effect of isoprenaline. 7. It is concluded that cromakalim has greater potential than nifedipine as a bronchodilator. It appears that opening of potassium channels, with consequent hyperpolarization and stabilization of the membrane potential, prevents calcium entering the cytosol through routes that are unaffected by calcium entry blockers.
authors.affiliation: Beecham Pharmaceuticals Research Division, Biosciences Research Centre, Epsom, Surrey.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Arch
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Buckle
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bumstead
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D019806:Cromakalim; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011758:Pyrroles; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D019806:Cromakalim; D006632:Histamine; D010047:Ovalbumin; D009543:Nifedipine