title: The effect of inhaled FK224, a tachykinin NK-1 and NK-2 receptor antagonist, on neurokinin A-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatics.
abstract: The tachykinins substance P and neurokinin A (NKA) are present in sensory airway nerves and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. FK224 is a cyclopeptide tachykinin antagonist previously shown to inhibit both tachykinin NK-1 and NK-2 receptor mediated airway responses in guinea pigs. Inhaled FK224 protected against bradykinin-induced bronchoconstriction and cough in asthmatics. In this study we examined the reproducibility of the NKA challenge and the effect of inhaled FK224 on NKA-induced bronchoconstriction in 10 patients with stable asthma. On Day 1 baseline lung function and PC20 methacholine were determined. On Days 2 and 3 increasing doubling concentrations of NKA (3.3 x 10(-9) to 1.0 x 10(-6) mol/ml) were administered via inhalation, with intervals of 10 min. On both days NKA caused a concentration-dependent decrease in specific airways conductance (sGaw) and FEV1. Mean +/- SEM, log PC35, sGaw NKA (mol/ml) was -6.61 +/- 0.10 on Day 2 and -6.57 +/- 0.14 on Day 3 (not significant [NS]). On Days 4 and 5 FK224 (4 mg) or placebo (P) was administered via metered-dose inhaler 30 min before NKA challenge in a double-blind, crossover manner. The study medication was well tolerated. FK224 had no significant effect on baseline lung function. After P and FK224, NKA caused a comparable concentration-dependent bronchoconstriction. The mean +/- SEM log PC35 sGaw NKA (mol/ml) was -6.04 +/- 0.18 after P and -6.19 +/- 0.23 after FK224 (NS). In conclusion, inhaled FK224 had no effect on baseline lung function and offered no protection against NKA-induced bronchoconstriction in a group of mild asthmatic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Joos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Schoor
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kips
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pauwels
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015288:Neurokinin A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018041:Receptors, Neurokinin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D018041:Receptors, Neurokinin-2; C075570:FK 224; D015288:Neurokinin A