title: Effect of heparin and a low-molecular weight heparinoid on PAF-induced airway responses in neonatally immunized rabbits.
abstract: 1. We have investigated the effect of an unfractionated heparin preparation, a low-molecular weight heparinoid (Org 10172) and the polyanionic molecule polyglutamic acid against PAF-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary cell infiltration in neonatally immunized rabbits in vivo. 2. Exposure of neonatally immunized rabbits to aerosolized platelet activating factor (PAF) (80 micrograms ml-1 for 60 min) elicited an increase in airway responsiveness to inhaled histamine 24 h and 72 h following challenge which was associated with an infiltration of inflammatory cells into the airways, as assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). 3. A significant increase in the total numbers of cells recovered from BAL fluid was associated with significantly increased cell numbers of neutrophils, eosinophils and mononuclear cells 24 h following PAF exposure. The numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils in the airways remained elevated 72 h after challenge. 4. The intravenous administration of an unfractionated preparation of heparin (100 units kg-1) or Org 10172 (100 micrograms kg-1) 30 min prior to PAF exposure significantly inhibited the airway hyperresponsiveness induced by PAF, 24 h and 72 h following challenge. PAF-induced hyperresponsiveness was not significantly affected by prior intravenous administration of polyglutamic acid (100 micrograms kg-1). 5. The intravenous administration of unfractionated heparin (100 units kg-1), Org 10172 (100 micrograms kg-1) or polyglutamic acid (100 micrograms kg-1) 30 min prior to PAF exposure significantly inhibited the expected increase in total cell infiltration. 6. This study shows that unfractionated heparin and a low-molecular weight heparinoid, Org 10172, are capable of inhibiting both the airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary cell infiltration induced by PAF in the rabbit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, King's College London.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Herd
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006497:Heparan Sulfate; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007114:Immunization; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006493:Heparin; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006497:Heparan Sulfate; D006632:Histamine; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; C035838:danaparoid